The project ran between August 2021 and August 2023.

The project was a contribution to a bio-based economy as its focus was on replacing fossil-based plastics and producing resource effective packaging solutions made of renewable fibres. Based on research, performed by FSCN at Mid Sweden University and MoRe Research in lab and pilot-scale, the projected aimed at performing extended research with focus on optimizing the design of manufacturing systems making recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, biobased products replacing the present fossil- based plastics. The project’s solution was intended to be implemented in the industry for ways of replacing plastics in different types of packaging materials as well as light-weight materials used in buildings.

The research work was mainly performed on test pilots at MoRe Research-RISE, Sweden and partly at full scale devises at Ipco’s site in Göppingen, Germany. The equipment for studying 2D products was a steel belt based hot-pressing test pilot. The test for studying 3D-molded pulp was first done on same hot-pressing test pilot as for tests in 2D, and thereafter in a full-scale equipment for molding. The studies were focused on runnability of the hot-pressing process and optimization of mechanical properties. The goal was to contribute with knowledge for a future operating window in an up-scaling process. Tests were performed to solve problems with paper and chemicals sticking to hot surfaces and water transport from the moist paper web. Spray nozzles were tested to be able to apply water for re-humidification, release chemicals and functional chemicals with them. Utilizing the knowledge from 2D hotpress technique the project aimed to go from 2D making of wet stable papers to 3D formed packaging solutions.