Stora Enso unveils velvet-like flocked version of papira wood foam

FINLAND – Finnish pulp and packaging company Stora Enso has collaborated with Krekelberg Flock Products, Flocktechniek, and C&B Innovations to develop a flocked variant of its Papira material. 

Papira serves as a lightweight, cellulose-based foam designed to replace traditional plastic foams in protective packaging applications.

The new version features a three-dimensional structure with a velvet-like surface achieved through flocking technology. 

Krekelberg provided cellulose-based flock fibres derived from eucalyptus, which are biodegradable and produced using water-based adhesives along with Oeko-Tex certified pigments and Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources.

Flocktechniek, C&B Innovations applied the fibres via electrostatic methods to ensure even distribution and a consistent tactile finish on the wood foam substrate. 

Designers can customize the surface with various colours, gloss levels, patterns, and textures.

Juulia Kuhlman, business development director at Stora Enso, said in a statement, “Sustainable materials shouldn’t limit creativity, they should expand it.” 

She added that the partnership demonstrates how Papira’s renewable fibre structure allows for new surface options when material innovation combines with design expertise.

This development focuses on creating protective packaging with reduced carbon impact through the use of renewable raw materials and cross-sector collaboration.

In related advancements, Stora Enso recently partnered with kitchen appliance brand Wilfa to create packaging for its 15kg ProBaker product. 

The solution combines Papira’s biobased and biodegradable foam with corrugated board to provide shock absorption for heavy items while cutting environmental effects.

Wilfa’s category director, Arnt Sandvik Nilsen, noted that Papira proved ideal for testing reduced and reusable materials in packaging the ProBaker and its accessories. 

Stora Enso’s packaging designer, Kristīne Biteniece, highlighted how the material improves product protection and enhances the unboxing process.

Stora Enso continues to advance Papira from pilot stages toward industrial-scale production in renewable packaging solutions.

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