PulPac, Hébert Group, MCC Verstraete and Pagès Group take a lead in sustainable fibre-based packaging
PulPac licensee Hébert Group, together with MCC Verstraete, Pagès Group and PulPac is in a process of commercialising moulded fibre labelling for dry moulded fibre products.
Hébert Group is setting up production with PulPac Modula to supply the company’s clients – key FMCG brands, with dry moulded fibre products.
Hébert Group was an early adaptor of IML, now a widely used technology for high-quality graphic labels on plastic packaging. Together with PulPac, MCC Verstraete and Pagès Group, Hébert Group is now developing moulded fibre labelling (MFL) for dry moulded fibre products and the parties aim to bring the concept to market.
MFL provides maximum print quality and precise printing, easy-to-modify graphics, and single-material packaging. All very competitive advantages, as packaging is expected to play an increasingly important role in branding and promotion, demanding highly customised or personalised campaigns.
The glue-free MFL labels used for dry moulded fibre applications are fibre-based, fully recyclable ensuring that the final MFL packaging is fully compatible with the paper recycling stream and biodegradable. The label is fused with the product in-line as it is moulded.
Julien Hébert, technical and sales director, Hébert Group said: “We strongly believe in dry moulded fibre as the future solution for fibre-based packaging. Having worked with IML for more than 35 years we have continuously perfected the technology. Combining it with dry moulded fibre was a given. The results we’ve achieved together in the lab are very promising and our respective teams are looking forward to bringing this game-changer to the market.”
Nico Van de Walle, product & circular economy manager at MCC Verstraete commented: “We have a stated and long-lasting commitment to be at the forefront of sustainable development. Adapting our know-how in IML products and services to dry moulded fibre allows us to offer a high quality and sustainable decoration method for dry fibre moulded parts, conform our sustainability strategy stating that the final packaging should be recyclable, reusable, or compostable.”
Romain Hervé, business development director at Pagès Group commented: “As a leader in automation solutions driven by innovation, we are proud to contribute with our long experience of IML for the plastics industry and engineer it into this transformative solution for dry moulded fibre packaging.”
Sanna Fager, chief commercial officer, PulPac said “Packaging has never been more important to a brand. Sustainability is a must, and by adding in-mould labelling to dry moulded fibre we leverage possibilities for brand-owners to connect with customers, communicate brand and values – making dry moulded fibre products even more competitive.”
