Zipform to develop meat trays using PulPac's fibre-based technology

PulPac has signed Australian-based Zipform Packaging (Zipform) as a licensee of its Dry Molded Fiber technology. The agreement provides Zipform with access to PulPac’s patented technology, enabling it to bring packaging solutions from concepts to commercial applications.

As such, Zipform is now developing a Dry Molded Fiber meat tray designed to meet the specific requirements of fresh food packaging. Supported by R&D funding from Meat & Livestock Australia, the product development is being carried out with collaboration from PulPac’s partner PA Consulting.

The first proof of concept has been tested with industry participants, with positive results reported. The next phase includes broader market validation, followed by industrialisation and planned investment in production capacity through PulPac’s partner network.

As part of this meat tray development, Zipform is exploring how functionality can be built directly into the packaging. One example is integrated liquid (purge) management within the tray structure, reducing or potentially eliminating the need for a separate absorbent pad and simplifying the overall packaging system.

“This is exactly how we see Dry Molded Fiber scaling globally, through our licensees who take the technology into real applications,” said Sanna Fager, Chief Commercial Officer at PulPac. “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.”

“We are always looking for smarter ways to solve packaging challenges, combining performance with cost efficiency,” said David Kilpatrick, R&D, Technical, Innovation and Quality Director of Zipform Packaging. “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.”

“This is about more than replacing plastic with fibre,” said Mark Farrell, product innovation expert at PA Consulting. “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.”