Forestry industry company Metsä Group and Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, have announced a collaboration to develop three-dimensional molded fiber packaging solutions with liddings and liners for a variety of food applications. The collaboration underscores Metsä Group and Amcor’s commitment to sustainability and innovation by creating recycle-ready packaging solutions.

Combining Metsä Group’s wood-based molded fiber product, Muoto developed by Metsä Spring, with Amcor’s advanced high-barrier film liner and lidding technology, the partnership seeks to deliver innovative fiber-based food packaging that protects perishable food products and extends shelf life.

Made from renewable wood pulp, Muoto is fully recyclable and biodegradable. It can be used in various applications, from takeaway to industrial packing. By integrating Amcor’s laminated film, Muoto gains enhanced functionality, including high-performance sealability.

Jarkko Tuominen, Vice President, Projects, Metsä Spring, said, “Our collaboration with Amcor represents a significant step forward in more sustainable packaging innovation. Metsä Group and Amcor have a longstanding relationship built on a shared commitment to reducing our environmental impact. Together, we are redefining the future of food packaging.” 

Amcor offers a variety of fiber-based packaging solutions across its AmFiber global portfolio and specialty carton products. Amcor’s AmFiber products are currently on store shelves across the globe and are available for a wide range of applications, including snacks and confectionery, dry culinary and beverage, meat, dairy, home and personal care, and more. Amcor’s liner technology provides perfect formability and strength to a variety of molded fiber-based trays to deliver a more sustainable packaging solution with exceptional functionality.

Ilya Syshchikov, Amcor’s Vice President, Fiber, said, “I am excited about this collaboration with our good partner Metsä. Both parties bring a wealth of materials, packaging, and market knowledge to deliver more sustainable solutions to our customers with exceptional quality, functionality, and efficiency.”

The full solution will be recyclable in the paper stream in most markets with a CEPI recyclability score of over 80%. In the longer term, the ambition is to develop a fully compostable solution. The first products from this partnership are expected to be commercially available in Europe later this year.