Swedish packaging manufacturer Blue Ocean Closures has reduced prices on its standard fiber-based screw caps, moving against the broader market trend as plastic closure manufacturers raise prices in response to higher fossil-based resin costs.
Cost inflation driven by energy markets and petrochemical feedstocks has pushed prices higher for plastic closures and other packaging products across the sector. Blue Ocean Closures said its price reduction follows technical advancements in both materials and production processes made since the company first introduced fiber-based closures to the market nearly two years ago.
“This is a deliberate break from industry logic,” said Lars Sandberg, chief executive officer of Blue Ocean Closures. “While others are forced to raise prices due to fossil-based raw materials, we have built a solution that allows us to lower prices through smarter design, materials, and processes.”
According to the company, the move enables brands to avoid passing rising plastic costs on to consumers. Staffan Andersson, chief technology officer, said the reduction reflects structural efficiency gains rather than discounting. “We are not discounting our products; we are structurally more efficient,” he said. “This allows us to lower prices even as the rest of the industry moves in the opposite direction.”
The company said the development marks a shift in packaging economics, where sustainable alternatives have historically carried a cost premium over fossil-based plastics. According to Sandberg, fiber-based closures are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. “For the first time, choosing a sustainable closure does not necessarily mean accepting a cost premium,” he said. “As the underlying economics improve, sustainability and lower cost can increasingly go hand in hand. This fundamentally changes the equation for brands and manufacturers.”
Andreas Lundberg, commercial manager at Great Earth Scandinavia – an early customer of the product – said the price movement is notable given the current cost environment. “In today’s cost environment, most packaging components are becoming more expensive. This solution moves in the opposite direction while also strengthening our sustainability profile, which only makes us more confident that we have chosen the right path,” he said.
Sandberg added, “We are seeing a structural shift, where inflation is exposing the limitations of fossil-based materials, and opening the door for better alternatives. With our price reduction the cost advantage is increasing and accelerating the shift toward renewable materials.”
