PulPac displays molded pulp converter in Wisconsin

Molded pulp machinery producer PulPac AB, based in Sweden, has taken part in the installation and initial operation of one of its Modula dry molded fiber converting lines that can produce recycled-content molded fiber products.

The Modula started operating in early February at the Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, production facility of fellow machinery producer Curt G. Joa (JOA). That firm makes custom machinery to convert nonwovens, plastics, paper, films, foil, tape and elastics to produce hygiene products such as diapers.

The two companies worked with what PulPac’s North American sales partner, Lisle, Illinois-based Seismic Solutions LLC, to install a machine the firms say can offer high-volume production of a wide range of dry molded fiber (also known as molded pulp) products while offering freedom and flexibility to make additions and upgrades to the original machine platform concept.

Molded pulp can be made from either virgin wood pulp or recovered paper, with PulPac indicating the Modula installed in Wisconsin has been operating at least part of the time making recycled-content material.

In addition to offering consumer goods companies an alternative to plastic, PulPac says it has developed a technology for fiber-based products that uses “significantly less water and energy” compared with traditional fiber forming.

PulPac says the new process lowers the CO₂ footprint of molded pulp by up to 80 percent and is up to 10 times faster than what it calls conventional fiber-forming, making its fiber-based alternatives cost-competitive with plastic packaging.

The technology is made available through licensing to packaging manufacturers globally.

“Seeing the technology and the machinery live is often an eye opener for people in the industry,” says Sanna Fager, chief commercial officer at PulPac. “I am thrilled that we can now showcase the technology and the Modula firsthand to our North American customers. With partners based locally, we also expand and simplify customer access to support, know-how, product development, and capacity."

JOA will work with Seismic Solutions and TekPak Inc., a tooling company based in St. Charles, Illinois, in the North American market.

“I believe Dry Molded Fiber will revolutionize the way packaging is manufactured and perceived,” says Ryan Brown, business development manager at JOA. “Combining this technology with our engineering know-how and machine building expertise will benefit the packaging industry, drive sustainability and help facilitate the shift away from single-use plastics.”