PulPac has partnered with Australia’s Zipform Packaging, granting them a license to utilize its innovative Dry Molded Fiber technology. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in the integration of fiber-based solutions for the demanding requirements of food packaging.
The licensing agreement allows Zipform to leverage PulPac’s patented technology, facilitating the creation and scaling of new fiber-based packaging solutions tailored to their current operations and clientele.
Specifically, Zipform is working on a Dry Molded Fiber meat tray that addresses the unique challenges associated with fresh food packaging. This initiative is being supported by research and development funding from Meat & Livestock Australia and is conducted in conjunction with PulPac’s partner, PA Consulting. Early prototype testing with select industry stakeholders has yielded promising results. The upcoming phase will focus on comprehensive market validation, followed by plans for industrial production enhancements through PulPac’s partner network.
This strategy exemplifies PulPac’s licensing framework in action, empowering partners to transition from initial concepts to actionable commercial solutions by merging access to cutting-edge technology with industrial-scale production capabilities.
As part of this initiative, Zipform is investigating methods to integrate key functionalities directly into the packaging. For instance, they are considering systems for managing liquid within the tray design, which could potentially remove the necessity for a separate absorbent pad, streamlining the packaging process.
Sanna Fager, Chief Commercial Officer at PulPac, remarked, “This is exactly how we see Dry Molded Fiber scaling globally, through our licensees who take the technology into real applications. Zipform combines strong packaging expertise with a clear focus on solving customer challenges, and this project shows how performance, design, and functionality can come together in a commercially viable solution.”
David Kilpatrick, R&D, Technical, Innovation and Quality Director at Zipform Packaging, stated, “We are always looking for smarter ways to solve packaging challenges, combining performance with cost efficiency. Dry Molded Fiber gives us new opportunities to rethink how packaging is designed and produced, and to deliver solutions that meet both functional and commercial requirements.”
Mark Farrell, a product innovation expert at PA Consulting, emphasized, “This is about more than replacing plastic with fiber. It’s about rethinking how packaging is designed, engineered, and produced, so sustainability and performance evolve together. We’re excited to continue developing Dry Molded Fiber products in close partnership with PulPac and Zipform Packaging.”
For converters and brands, this development signifies a notable transition: moving from merely adding components to meet specific needs towards designing high-performance solutions from the outset.
PulPac intends to showcase its ongoing advancements in Dry Molded Fiber applications during Interpack 2026, located in Hall 8B / C53.
For additional information, please visit www.zipformpackaging.com.au, www.pulpac.com, and paconsulting.com.
