CASSPAK - 100% Bio-Based Foams for Sustainable Packaging

Purpose and goal:

CASSPAK (renamed Löven foams) is the next generation of biobased foams for sustainable packaging used to protect and cushion fragile goods. Using 0% detergents and 0% plastics, the major input for the production of Löven foams is the cellulose fibre reject (CFR) of the paper and pulp industry. The project validated that the Löven foams were light weight with good insulation, a potential to be hydrophobic, circular and scalable at lab scale, producing a 100% tree-based foam material suitable for sustainable packaging.

Expected results and effects:

The results showed that Löven foams would be a sustainable alternative to other packaging materials. The foam material was 100% tree-based, light weight with good insulation properties. The lower than expected mechanical strength will require some further development but may depend on the end use of the foam.

The foaming technology was capable of moulding into the perfect shape of the goods and with the ability to recycle the foams back into the process, makes them a circular material. Löven foams will reduce microplastics polluting the environment. Approach and implementation:

The design and implementation of the work packages worked well. The partners responsible for each work package was successfully completed in a professional manner. The Domsjo Fabriker supplying the cellulose fibre reject and expert advice about the project.

Borregaard supplied the microfibrillated cellulose and expert advice. HJ Freezing Solutions were great hosts in Denmark and were able to reduce the setting time in the foaming process, and along with the reduced timing of maceration, will be used for the next scaling stage of the project.