Stora Enso and Sulapac partner on straws that biodegrade like “leaves in nature”

11 Dec 2019 --- Stora Enso and Sulapac have teamed up to launch a renewable and biodegradable straw as an alternative to conventional plastic straws. Made from Sulapac’s microplastic-free, biodegradable material, the straw has strong usability and works just like a traditional straw. Moreover, the new straw demonstrates how such sustainable materials can satisfy consumer demand for eco-friendly, recyclable packaging solutions.

This launch comes as the EU’s upcoming 2021 ban on the ten most polluting single-use plastic items, including straws, starts to impact the food and beverage industry.

“The Sulapac straw is a straw without compromise. It is both sustainable and has outstanding usability. Moreover, the straw can be organically recycled and biodegrades fully without leaving microplastics behind. If the straw accidentally ends up in the ocean, it biodegrades within similar time frame as tree leaves in nature,” Suvi Haimi, CEO for Sulapac, tells PackagingInsights.

Click to EnlargeThe straws are based on Sulapac’s patent pending material innovation, with the main components consisting of renewable materials, such as wood and plant-based binders. The innovation complies with existing waste systems and is designed to be industrially-compostable.

The Stora Enso-Sulapac straw punches above its size in terms of practical usability. Haimi adds that the straw does not get soggy, like some paper-straws. Moreover, the straw has a delicate scent of wood, but does not affect the taste of any given beverage. 

Creating a product that is safe for the ecosystem while also being mass-producible and having outstanding usability was not an easy task. With intense research and development efforts, the Stora Enso and Sulapac partnership managed to build a product that fulfills all these criteria.

“Brands and consumers demand for more eco-friendly solutions. With Sulapac’s material innovation, as well as Stora Enso’s expertise in renewable solutions, we can answer this demand,” Marcus Dehlin, Head of Business Alliances, Stora Enso, also tells PackagingInsights. 

The new straw is yet another showcase of Sulapac’s material’s suitability for mass-production. It also demonstrates the versatility of applications that the Sulapac material can be used for.Click to Enlarge

“The fact that Sulapac material can be used with existing extrusion or injection molding machinery, for example, the machines that are originally made for manufacturing plastic items, makes the material innovation truly revolutionary. It allows companies to switch to a sustainable material alternative, whether in packaging or other applications, with minimal investment,” Dehlin explains. Haimi echoes this notion, adding that Sulapac’s first foodstuff customer Fazer has recently launched a praline box made from Sulapac material. 

In the first phase, the straws will be available in Europe and a global roll-out will follow. “Now that the sales have been kicked off, we expect to have many international customers already in the beginning of next year,” says Haimi. 

The first customers include Finnair’s lounges in Helsinki, replacing its plastic and paper straws, food delivery platform Wolt, the alcoholic beverage brand company Altia, Hotel St. George in the Finnish capital, as well as Finnish vegan café Kippo. 

Representing different business sectors, these companies demonstrate how the straw provides multifaceted usability while tapping into the umbrella trend of sustainability. For end-consumers, the straws will be available in January next year via Biofutura, an online store specializing in compostable tableware and packaging, and online retailer Verkkokauppa.

By Anni Schleicher

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