Stora Enso is extending its packaging offering with a new portfolio of bio-based foams from wood. The products are fully recyclable and can be used for protective and thermal packaging. Lightweight wood foams address the need for climate-friendly, renewable and circular cushioning materials in inner packaging. Stora Enso’s offering consists of Fibrease™ by Stora Enso and Papira® by Stora Enso. Both foams come with versatile technical and sustainability properties, and customers can select a suitable foam based on their specific packaging requirements. The foams can be used for protecting fragile goods and are optimal for thermal packaging of temperature sensitive products. Fibrease is commercially available now, while the pilot plant for producing Papira has started operations at the Fors site in Sweden, following the investment announced in August 2020. Fossil-based packaging is a major contributor to pollution, accounting for 40% of the world’s plastics. With Fibrease and Papira, Stora Enso now introduces renewable and climate-friendly alternatives to fossil-based packaging protection. The bio-based foams come from certified wood and are recyclable in paper recycling streams.

Which Products Will Be Affected By Plastic Packaging Tax? A packaging product will be classified as ‘plastic packaging’ if plastic is the heaviest of its components. Then, if the packaging contains less than 30% recycled plastic, it will be subject to PPT. Even though the tax’s environmental aims are to promote and produce ‘greener’ plastics, packaging labelled as biodegradable and compostable will still be subject to the new tax laws. There are, however, some exemptions to these rules, which include: *If the plastic packaging contains licensed human medicines *If the packaging is used in aircraft shipping or railway stores for international journeys *If the packaging’s primary function is to secure the safe transit of goods and produce *Exported goods will also be exempt, as long as they are exported within 12 months

As sustainability efforts and initiatives continue to take the spotlight, a recent life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted for the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) shows that the corrugated packaging industry has achieved substantial reductions in the environmental impacts of corrugated cardboard boxes. A release from Fibre Box Association (FBA) revealed the details. “Reducing carbon emissions is the most important thing we can do for a more sustainable future,” said CPA Executive Director Bob McIlvaine. “Additional improvements in land, air, and water indicators highlight the industry’s progress and reaffirm our longstanding commitment to sustainable manufacturing across operations.” CPA is a corrugated industry initiative jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), AICC – The Independent Packaging Association, FBA, and TAPPI, a release explained. Its recent LCA shows a 50 percent per unit reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2020 for the corrugated packaging industry, showcasing its commitment to tackling climate change.