SULAPAC'S PROJECT

Sulapac’s Sustainable Packaging Materials through Comprehensive Knowledge and Strong Vision

Path makers: Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo, Heidi Peltola, and Piia Peltola

Sulapac is a Finnish material innovation company that develops environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastic. Sulapac materials are made of different biobased biodegradable biopolymers and sustainable fillers like wood chips from industrial side streams. This innovation addresses the global plastic waste problem, particularly in industries like cosmetics, food services, and luxury goods, where packaging is essential and abundant.

Sulapac’s journey began in 2016 when Dr. Suvi Haimi and Dr. Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo, compelled by the overwhelming presence of single-use plastics, envisioned a sustainable alternative. As biochemists in biomaterials, they aimed high, developing a material that is not only sustainable but also beautiful and functional: Sulapac biodegrades without leaving behind permanent microplastics and can be processed using existing plastic production equipment, making it suitable for mass production. Following their ambitious vision, Sulapac initiated partnerships with major clients like CHANEL and Stora Enso, showcasing the company’s determination to become a global leader in sustainable materials replacing plastic.

Leveraging their core expertise in material development to create tailored solutions, Sulapac developed a bespoke material for CHANEL utilizing the client’s production side stream, camelia seed shells, as one raw material. This launch was an important milestone on Sulapac’s journey, demonstrating the team’s innovative power, material expertise, and ability to meet the most rigorous quality standards.

Over the years, the team’s open-minded, collaborative approach combined with market understanding and strict internal design principles has led to a diverse portfolio with over a dozen recipes, each with its own distinctive set of characteristics. A significant breakthrough was the launch of Sulapac Solid – a reusable material combining biodegradability and recyclability with durability and heat resistance. Initially seen as a daunting challenge, the team’s determination and expertise in polymer science, compliance, sourcing, and engineering turned it into a reality and the material of choice for brands like Marimekko and Burger King. This project not only pushed the boundaries of what was possible but also refined Sulapac’s internal processes, establishing more structured methods for evaluating compliance and testing reusable products.

Sulapac’s success underscores the importance of bold thinking and a talented cross-functional team working towards a clear common goal. Product developers can learn from their approach of combining bold vision with a rigorous development process and a strong focus on making a positive impact.