Nefab, Nokia pioneer fiber-based packaging for 5G telecom gear

SWEDEN – Nefab, a global packaging specialist, has partnered with Nokia to launch a fiber-based solution for protecting the company’s 5G radio frequency modules. 

The design swaps out conventional polyethylene foam for Nefab’s FiberFlute cushioning, a material made from renewable fibers that delivers equivalent shock absorption while cutting down on non-recyclable components. 

This shift keeps the modules safe during global transport and installation, all while shrinking the overall environmental footprint of telecom shipments.

In a recent statement, Nefab announced the project’s status as a finalist for the Nokia Diamond Award 2025 in the sustainability category. 

The award recognizes suppliers that deliver concrete gains in resource use and emissions reduction. 

“This project has been named a finalist for the Nokia Diamond Award 2025 in the Sustainability category,” the company said. “Together, we’re driving sustainability forward, one innovation at a time.”

The FiberFlute system brings measurable gains to Nokia’s operations. It prevents an estimated 44,000 tons of plastic waste each year across the production scale. 

Carbon dioxide emissions drop by 7 tons annually from the lighter, more efficient design. On top of that, the packaging travels with the modules right up to the installation site, providing continuous shielding against drops and vibrations in the final delivery leg. 

These changes help Nokia meet its internal targets for reducing single-use materials without compromising equipment integrity.

Jonas Steibert, Nokia’s Global Segment Director for Telecom, highlighted the teamwork behind the rollout. 

He noted that the FiberFlute approach shows how joint efforts can yield practical advances in telecom packaging. 

Steibert added that both companies’ groups collaborated closely to hit sustainability milestones.

This development comes amid broader momentum in the telecom sector toward greener materials. 

Ericsson, a fellow network equipment maker, recently completed a similar transition for its remote radio units, replacing plastic inserts with fiber-based alternatives coated for abrasion resistance. 

The move slashed plastic content from 20% to under 1% per package and trimmed overall size by 15-20%, aiding the firm’s path to net-zero emissions by 2040. 

Meanwhile, Juniper Networks pledged to phase out plastics in its system packaging by the end of 2025, opting for compostable fiber options on smaller products.

Nefab plans to scale FiberFlute across more telecom clients, focusing on customizable fits for varying equipment sizes. 

The Nokia case sets a template for suppliers aiming to embed eco-friendly practices into high-stakes supply chains.

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