Papira®: A bio-based foam for a plastic-free future
Eliminating plastics in protective packaging
Stora Enso has great news for the packaging industry, and every company seeking to reduce their dependence on fossil sources. Papira® by Stora Enso is our breakthrough innovation, a foam designed to reduce plastics and waste in future packaging solutions. This bio-based and recyclable alternative to fossil-based materials proves that wood fibres can phase out expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyethylene (PE) foams. Papira® by Stora Enso is the result of ingenuity – and our aim to provide a wood-based alternative to plastic foams.
The industry is in dire need for a bio-based foam for safeguarding products during transport, storage, and handling. The shift towards renewable choices in the packaging industry reflects global environmental issues and regulatory pressures, as well as consumer preference for renewable alternatives.
Pioneer cases
Papira®: A Wood-Based Alternative to Plastic Foams
Responsibly sourced and *screened for home compostability, Papira® is made from wood fibre sourced from sustainably managed Nordic forests.
It is a rigid foam material with excellent shock-absorbing properties, suitable for a wide range of applications, from industrial, electronic and medical equipment to fragile goods such as glass, art and antiques.
Papira® has us excited about the future. Material from our pilot plant demonstrates the potential for protective packaging with lower carbon footprint, based on renewable raw materials – and great protective properties.Contact us to learn more about how Papira® could become part of your packaging solution.
Why choose Papira®?
Key benefits
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Bio-based, plastic-free and biodegradable material made from sustainably sourced and traceable wood fibers.
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Recyclable with paper and board materials
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Excellent cushioning performance, lightweight and endless design possibilities
End-use
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Protective packaging
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Thermal packaging
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Sound and construction insulation
Awards
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Sustainability Awards Finalist 2022
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Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2021
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German Packaging Award 2021
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Packaging Innovation Award 2019
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Bio Stars Pitch Winner 2019
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Best Packaging Innovation 2018
Get in touch
We are seeking for partners which are interested in this new development material.
Contact us
Papira® is currently in pilot stage and is not yet available for commercial sales.
Latest news
Facts to support our claims
Biodegradation: Papira has been tested in biodegradation and qualitative disintegration test in home composting conditions by Normec OWS according to modified ISO 14855-1: 2012 and ISO 20200, respectively. Papira reached 93.0% ± 3.4% absolute biodegradation within 76 days and 100% degree of disintegration in 8 weeks. Note that the disintegration test results cannot be used for certification purposes.
Recyclability: Recyclability of Papira in paper and board streams is verified by PTS, according to methods: PTS-RH 021:2012 and CEPI recyclability laboratory test method Version 2 (Oct 2022) and evaluated acc.4evergreen fibre-based packaging recyclability evaluation protocol Version 1 (Jan 2025). Certifications of recyclability have been obtained from PTS and Cyclos.
