CelluPac- a biobased alternative to EPS for full scale production
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | LindePac AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - October 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
| Call | Test your hypothesis – step 1 within BioInnovation: innovative projects of higher risk. |
Important results from the project
The purpose of the project was to develop a new sustainable material based on renewable resources that can replace fossil-based Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in packaging materials. Our innovative idea was to replace EPS with a cellulose-based alternative, a technical solution to be directly implemented in today s production lines of molded EPS-materials. A composition based on cellulose has been developed as a starting material for the production of molded foam materials.
Expected long term effects
Our hypothesis to produce a cellulose-based material replacing EPS has been tested and validated in the lab but also in full-scale tests at LindePac. The starting material was seamlessly processed industrially to produce a first generation cellulose-based foamed material and in volumes sufficient for full-scale tests have been produced. Sharp reductions of fossil-based materials in EPS-products are expected and the new material shall be recognized as a fiber-based material in the recycling path.
Approach and implementation
An extensive work has been devoted to the concept development of producing a starting material for the replacing of fossil-based EPS in packaging materials for lab- and full scale trials. The project has resulted in a proof-of-concept regarding material preparation in lab scale including evaluation of the materials produced. Through the developed concept the impact of various parameters have been evaluated which have resulted in a production of a starting material for testing in industrial environment.