Finnish pulp and packaging company Stora Enso has teamed up with Krekelberg Flock Products and Flocktechniek – C&B Innovations to develop a velvet-soft, sustainable material. At the center of this initiative is Papira, Stora Enso’s plastic-free wood foam, now transformed into a 3D structure with a soft, velvety surface using advanced flocking technology. The surface is enhanced with a cellulose-based flock fibre from Krekelberg, applied by Flocktechniek – C&B Innovations. The result: a fully customizable finish in colour, gloss, pattern, and texture – opening a new design space for renewable materials like Papira.
Papira is a lightweight, cellulose-based packaging foam designed to provide a lower environmental impact alternative to traditional plastic foams. It is plastic free, recyclable in paper board streams, and biodegradable – offering brands a renewable alternative without compromising performance.
“Sustainable materials shouldn’t limit creativity – they should expand it,” said Juulia Kuhlman, director, business development at Stora Enso. “This collaboration shows how Papira’s renewable fiber structure can be enhanced for completely new surface expressions, demonstrating what’s possible when material innovation and design meet.”
Krekelbergs cellulose fibers are biodegradable eucalyptus-based flock fibers developed specifically for paper and board substrates. Produced with water-based adhesives, Oeko-Tex certified pigments, and FSC-certified fibres, it reflects Krekelberg’s commitment to environmentally responsible fibers and processes.
Flocktechniek – C&B Innovations, with decades of industrial flocking expertise, applied the surface using their electrostatic fiber technology, ensuring a durable, high-quality finish. Their machinery and technical know-how made it possible to achieve a consistent and premium tactile effect on a cellulose-based foam.
This collaboration showcases how renewable materials and cross-industry partnerships can redefine the future of protective packaging, uniting low-carbon performance, circularity, and design freedom in a single solution.