Alpla reinvigorates paper bottle mission with new fiber screw caps partnership

06 Jan 2022 --- Alpla has formed a joint venture with global engineered materials supplier Glatfelter and Swedish startup Blue Ocean Closures (BOC) to develop fiber-based closures using “dryforming” technology.

In related news, Alpla and paper packaging specialist BillerudKorsnäs are pioneering the development of a fully bio-based and recyclable paper bottle.

Vishal Bansal, vice president at Glatfelter, tells PackagingInsights the company’s closures are designed to be used on fiber-based bottles such as the one in development with BillerudKorsnäs: “They could be used with those [paper bottles] and also other containers, including those made from traditional methods.” 

“This partnership brings together like-minded companies that share similar [environmental] sustainability objectives and goals,” adds Chris Astley, senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Glatfelter.

Glatfelter and Alpla are developing cellulose-based closures for ocean biodegradability.Ocean biodegradable caps
In the initial phase, Glatfelter and Alpla are developing high-quality cellulose-based products, including screw caps, that are fully bio-based and potentially ocean biodegradable, shares Glatfelter.

He explains this partnership will support BOC in its product development and shorten time to market.

“We are investing continuously in the research and use of alternative, bio-based packaging materials to complement our product portfolio,” says Christian Zmölnig, director corporate research, development and innovation at Alpla. 

“In addition to a common vision for a sustainable future, they [Glatfelter and Alpla] bring enormous competencies in the field of production technology and materials science into our company,” adds Lars Sandberg, CEO of BOC.

Bansal says the key challenges are in making a closure with comparable strength and cost to traditional plastic closures.Overcoming challenges
Glatfelter’s vice president says the key challenges are in making a closure that has comparable strength, rigidity, thread durability, and cost as a traditional plastic closure.

“Another challenge is to provide the barrier functionality to the closure,” he adds.

When asked how to overcome these challenges, Bansal explains: “Glatfelter is a leading global provider of [environmentally] sustainable nonwoven materials made from cellulose and other natural fibers. These challenges can be overcome by designing an air-laid dry-formed nonwoven with required characteristics and incorporating plant-based barrier coatings.”

By Natalie Schwertheim

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