E!115314, NextGen, PulPac AB

Purpose and goal:

The goal of the project was to develop a production platform, called SCALA (formerly PU300i), which would allow serial production of plug-and-play machines for dry molded fiber shippable in a standard container at a low acquisition cost. This objective has been fulfilled with good results, and also resulted in numerous innovations, patent applications and collaborations.

The platform has also been tested for mixing in residual fibers from agriculture, further reducing environmental footprint and cost of production. Expected results and effects:

A prototype, developed in line with the technical platform, is conceptually validated and operable with full automation. Several production tests, also with fibers from agricultural waste, have been carried out with good results. Commercial production and launch are planned hereafter.

The results are decisive in achieving the impact goal of replacing 1m tonnes of single-use plastic by 2026, i.e. rolling out ~400 Dry Molded Fiber Machines on the market. Given the replacement of 1 mt of disposable plastic, up to 5mt of CO2 emissions and up to 1 billion liters of water have been preserved.

Approach and implementation:

The project has been carried out in collaboration with a German partner - Bio-Lutions, who has extensive knowledge in setting up specially developed production technology for dry molded fiber.

Furthermore, an Asian manufacturer of packaging machines has participated and is preparing for an upcoming commercial series production of machines based on the SCALA platform.

The project has essentially followed the schedule and the collaboration has worked well. PulPac has been the driving partner.