MENU Global trends BillerudKorsnäs in the world Corporate Governance Code of conduct BillerudKorsnäs stories Contact Our Offer Sustainability Investors Press & News Career Managed Packaging BillerudKorsnäs Venture BillerudKorsnäs Forestry svenska HOME ABOUT US INNOVATION PROJECTS THE PAPER BOTTLE PROJECT The Paper Bottle project The Paper Bottle is an innovation project where BillerudKorsnäs collaborates with some of the world's leading players in barriers, design and technology. United in shaping the future of packaging by creating the world's first 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable paper bottle for carbonated beverages. A catalyst for change Alarm reports on overconsumption and harmful effects of plastics are seen more often, and consumers' desire to make sustainable packaging choices are consequently increasing. Here, the Paper Bottle project has the opportunity to become a catalyst for positive change. In June 2013 the Danish innovation company ecoXpac manufactured the first prototype of the fiber bottle based on recycled paper. Since then, the project has evolved into a collaborative project between some of the world's leading players in technology and barriers. Manufacturing technique and pulp formula The BillerudKorsnäs team has developed the pulp recipe, chemistry and grinding to optimize the Paper Bottle design properties and the ability to withstand high pressure as well as optimize the manufacturing process. The manufacturing process uses a technique based on thermoforming, which makes it possible to produce intricate forms, quickly and with reduced energy consumption. Paper can provide unique design features In order to become commercially viable and able to match, complement and even outperform existing packaging systems of glass, plastic or metal, the Paper Bottle must meet high expectations of brand owners, converters and consumers regarding functionality, design and durability. The goal is to create an overall attractive product for mass production with minimal waste which can provide great opportunities for unique design solutions. BillerudKorsnäs, together with brand developer Grow, has developed a prototype that can appeal to potential brand owners while representing the origin, characteristics and design possibilities of the material. When designing of our vision, a challenge is to create a form that could appeal to a wide range of potential brand owners, while at the same time represent a unique visual language consistent with the origin of the material. Also keeping in mind that the new bottle shape should suit mass production and meet production restrictions we have set out to explore shapes and forms that showcase how we can challenge the norm while keeping feasibility. Hence, developing a structural and graphic language that embodies the natural harmony between material, design and manufacturing. The design, structure and graphic language of the bottle expresses a harmony between material, design and manufacturing and extracts inspiration from the patterns found in spruce and pine, two natural elements in the bottle's raw material. The design also shows a form that is as attractive to the viewer as neutral for future product categories. Hopefully potential brand owners can imagine a world where their brand is strengthened by helping consumers make better choices for the environment.. Here, "grading stamps" are explored - a system of symbols used by the forest industry to specify timber, indicating different types of products and ensuring material quality. On the side you can find the bottle's grade stamp highlighting the most important elements: the maker, material and specifications. The vision of a recyclable and degradable bottle is symbolized as an eternal icon on the cork. Questions & answers 1. By who and when did the Paper Bottle project start? 2. When will we see a commercially viable Paper Bottle on the market? 3. Will the Paper Bottle, in it’s final version, be recyclable and usable as a bottle again? 4. How long does it take for the finished bottle to break down if it should end up in nature? 5. How much better for the environment is a bottle of wood fibre? SEE ALSO SHARE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email About us Our Offer Sustainability Investors Media Career Contact FOLLOW US By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Terms of use and external private notice. Close