Packaging
- Excellence in materials and packaging technology
- Thriving R&D and test environments
- Ideal base to gain consumer insight
- Holistic approach to packaging
Inspiration in packaging innovation
A number of groundbreaking packaging inventions, including the Nefab, PLM, Tetra Pak and Åkerlund & Rausing ranges of products, have been developed in
Sweden and achieved widespread success in global markets. New innovative companies continue to emerge, such as Cypak (electronics in packaging), OneCafé (packaging concept for fresh coffee) and MicVac (system technology for convenience food). OrganoClick has developed technologies for enhancing and creating new properties of cellulose fibers and Xylophane aims at producing barrier films from renewable raw materials.
Excellence in materials and packaging technology
As one of the world’s largest paper and pulp producing nations, Sweden offers specialist skill in fiber-based packaging. Extensive research efforts are devoted to the development of new materials, particularly fiber composites and other renewables, such as starch, gluten and xylan. The EU-sponsored SustainPack project, a large industry-academic research initiative on sustainable packaging, is coordinated by Sweden’s STFI/Packforsk, the internationally renowned R&D institute.
Thriving R&D and test environments
R&D and test environments allow foreign companies the opportunity to develop new packaging materials and test their performance in printing. Several locations offer pilot machine operation in process scale 1:1 and various centers of excellence are open to collaborative projects with foreign companies. An area of particular interest is printed electronics, regarded as a key technology for the development of intelligent packaging.
Ideal base to gain consumer insight
Consumer research is carried out at industrial research institutes, universities and through collaborations between research and academic partners. Sweden’s trend-sensitive and demanding consumers offer high suitability for end-user tests at sophisticated consumer test labs and for new product launches.
Holistic approach to packaging
Sweden has a strong focus on designing packages for optimized performance and function throughout the product life cycle, from production to recycling. This includes an ability to design packages that can be distributed efficiently and with a minimum use of resources, for instance the Tetra Pak system and Ikea's flat packaging concept.