A paper bottle in every hand – that’s what the future holds if the paper bottle project succeeds. At Billerud, we challenge conventional packaging for a sustainable future by driving innovation through collaboration. One such initiative is our collaboration with Paboco, the paper bottle company.
Paboco is an innovation spearhead initiative launched in 2019 with a sole purpose – change the industry for good by developing recyclable and 100% biobased paper bottles at scale
In the journey towards the next-generation paper bottle, together with Paboco - Paper Bottle Community, another significant milestone has been achieved. Building upon Paboco's first prototype in May 2021, substantial progress has been made, turning the initial concept into a reality with production that started in 2023.
An exciting leap forward in this endeavor is the cutting-edge paper closure, developed in collaboration with Blue Ocean Closures, bringing us one step closer to the ultimate goal of creating a fully recyclable and biobased paper bottle.
Additionally, the focus over the past year has been on perfecting the application method of the barrier coating on the bottle's inner surface, especially for challenging products like carbonated beverages. To address these challenges, Pabocco is actively developing the barrier material.
We are very proud to share the next generation bottles with a fitting fiber closure. This sets another milestone in our defined development journey towards a fully fiber based bottle in every hand. Next, we will startup our developed coating line and build manufacturing equipment to enable mass production for market introduction in 2023
The project began in 2015, when Billerud, Carlsberg and innovation expert EcoXpac joined forces after having worked in parallel on similar projects. To move closer to the vision and align the efforts of all stakeholders, the project was eventually transformed into the separate innovation company, Paboco, where Billerud and bottle specialist manufacturer Alpla are main owners, and where the EcoXpac founder family is represented as a minority shareholder.
Now, as a project collaborator, Billerud is one of several world-leading players sharing our joint expertise in materials, barriers, design and technology. Working closely together with the Paboco community of pioneering brand owners. Our shared vision is to create the world's first 100 percent recyclable paper bottle for liquid content and even carbonated beverages.
From idea to design, production and finished product, the challenges are many. Today, Billerud plays an active role in the project by addressing three out of eight key challenges in the innovation process
So, what if your favourite soda came in a paper bottle? Your skin lotion ? And what if it could help push the bottle industry in a more sustainable direction? A paper bottle is, of course, an achievement in itself. And we seriously believe it will become a game-changer in the packaging industry. One that will improve your favourite products and change the retail experience as we know it.
At Billerud, we believe that working together with Paboco and all involved experts is the best way to capture new opportunities and co-create the future of sustainable packaging.
Welcome to follow us on our journey.