SWEDEN – Blue Ocean Closures has received investment from Swedish pulp supplier Rottneros, becoming a co-owner.
Blue Ocean Closures has developed its own technology for the large-scale production of fiber-based closures for consumer packaging.
Both the technology and the material are anticipated for more high-volume use cases – and, in line with the company’s aim to phase out plastic closures worldwide, the solution is hoped to counteract both plastic pollution and its impact on global climate.
“Blue Ocean Closures is leading the way in a very exciting new field with their vacuum press forming technology,” says Rottneros AB’s CEO, Lennart Eberleh.
“At Rottneros we see this field as complementary to our work in wet moulding and exploring the opportunities within dry processes fits very well with our market strategy.”
Lars Sandberg, CEO and founder of Blue Ocean Closures, adds: “With Rottneros’ deep knowledge in pulp and packaging, we further strengthen our position and ability to reach the market.
“The company has during its two years of operation been focused on developing high-quality, biobased and recyclable paper screw caps.
This investment and the partnership will expand the important development in more market segments. We are thrilled to welcome Rottneros as our new co-owner.”
Industrial leaders and brand owners have partnered with Blue Ocean Closures to help develop solutions with less of an impact on the natural environment.
One such partnership involves Coca-Cola’s EMEA R&D Center in Brussels and intends to drive further development of a fiber-based screw cap.
In line with its ambitions to advance sustainable packaging and reduce the use of non-renewable materials, while supporting its ambitious World Without Waste strategy, Coca-Cola is joining Blue Ocean Closures’ community of pioneering partners.
The move will see Blue Ocean Closures introduce a fiber-based packaging screw cap that is biobased and recyclable, similar to paper.
Meanwhile in July, Blue Ocean Closures partnered with Arla Foods to develop fiber-based caps for milk cartons.
Arla estimates that its standard caps make up for around 23% of the plastic used in its cartons. If implemented, the move could reduce Arla’s plastic consumption by more than 500 tonnes annually.
Blue Ocean Closures’ fiber-based caps constitute a body made of FSC-certified fiber material and a thin barrier coating.
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