Finnish company Stora Enso has developed just such a product in the packaging world. It's called Papira® and is a biodegradable material with excellent shock-absorbing properties, a viable alternative to rigid polyurethane foam. And just recently, the material passed perhaps the most rigorous test of its protective properties.

In collaboration with Emballageteknik, Papira®-based protective packaging was developed for transporting high-precision optical and electronic components manufactured by Thorlabs Sweden. Emballageteknik's team of specialists ensured the performance and efficiency required for scaling Papira®.

The new material is a completely eco-friendly replacement for polystyrene foam. It is plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable like regular cardboard. It is made from renewable wood fibers.

This isn't the first time Papira® has been used as protective packaging for fragile and electronic goods. However, it is the first time it has been used in true production volumes. The launch of large-scale production offers hope for the expansion of this excellent material and its gradual replacement (or other eco-friendly alternatives) with fossil-based foam.

Materials from storaenso.com were used.