PulPac is pioneering advancements in fiber technology within one of the most challenging areas of packaging by introducing a revolutionary line of fiber caps that mimic the characteristics of plastic.
This initiative represents a significant advancement for brands aiming for sustainable, circular alternatives to traditional closure mechanisms.
The recently developed fiber-based caps — utilizing PulPac’s dry molded fiber process — are engineered to fulfill the functional and consumer expectations typically associated with plastic products, including features like thread compatibility, ease of opening and closing, sealing performance, and overall tactile experience. Initial evaluations indicate that these new caps yield “promising” results across these essential metrics.
The official launch of these caps is scheduled for interpack 2026, which will showcase fiber being utilized at scale within a complex packaging component for the first time.
PulPac emphasizes that these new caps provide exceptional design flexibility, allowing differentiation between the interior and exterior surfaces — thereby creating new possibilities for both functional design and brand representation. This degree of design precision is usually linked to plastics, marking an important achievement for fiber-based solutions in packaging.
This project is being realized in partnership with PA Consulting and Optima, which is identified as PulPac’s machine collaborator for this sector. Furthermore, it builds on the company’s initiatives within the Bottle Collective, where comprehensive fiber-based bottle systems — inclusive of closures — are being investigated as cohesive solutions.
Charlotte Walldal, CTO of PulPac, remarked that the new caps challenge previously held beliefs regarding the capabilities of fiber:
“At PulPac, our aim is to create value through both current achievements and future possibilities in packaging. The advancement of fiber-based caps represents a natural progression in this journey. When we present the cap to clients, their reactions are telling. The initial response is often one of disbelief that these are made from fiber. The appearance, the sound when tapped against a surface, and notably the tactile quality subvert traditional expectations of fiber.”
As brands face mounting pressure to minimize plastic usage and enhance material compatibility, PulPac’s fiber-based caps present a compelling new avenue for packaging strategies. This evolution indicates that fiber could extend its applications beyond trays, lids, and containers, moving into intricate, high-precision components — thereby potentially transforming the landscape of rigid packaging.
