Led by Papair GmbH, OFI is participating in an ambitious flagship initiative funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The project aims to further develop and scale up the existing PapairWrap, the first paper-based alternative to conventional plastic bubble wrap, for widespread industrial application.
BIOWRAP takes this innovative concept to the next level by bringing the first sustainable, paper-based air cushion packaging solution to industrial-scale production. The patented technology combines layers of paper using biodegradable nanocellulose fibres, providing cushioning performance comparable to plastic bubble wrap while requiring less packaging volume.
Within the project, a Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL 8) First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) production facility will be established. The facility will integrate innovations across the entire production chain, including fibre sourcing, paper formulation, coatings and machinery engineering, in order to meet the diverse requirements of industrial applications.
The consortium’s vision is to establish a European benchmark for sustainable protective packaging by bringing together expertise from across the entire value chain – from sourcing and processing of raw fibres to large-scale manufacturing and end-user applications. The project aims to demonstrate that innovation, sustainability and cost efficiency can go hand in hand, replacing millions of square metres of conventional plastic packaging with fully recyclable and compostable paper-based solutions.
The consortium seeks to transform the protective packaging industry by demonstrating that sustainable, high-performance alternatives to plastic can be technically feasible, industrially scalable and economically competitive. At the heart of the project is the scale-up of fibre-based packaging solutions and the establishment of a flagship production facility demonstrating TRL-8 technology at industrial scale, serving as a model for future sustainable production sites across Europe.
Within five years, the consortium aims to replace more than 100 million m² of plastic bubble wrap with sustainable paper-based alternatives.
OFI contributes its long-standing expertise in recyclability, material analytics and microplastic analysis, supporting the consortium in the development, characterization and evaluation of the innovative paper-based packaging solution. In particular, OFI provides scientific and analytical expertise to assess material performance, recyclability and potential particle release, thereby contributing to the safe, sustainable and circular design of the next generation of protective packaging.
Funding agency: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-03 (CBE JU Innovation Action, Flagship)
Project consortium:
Coordination: Papair GmbH
Consortium:
Navigator Paper Setubal S.A., RAIZ – Instituto de Investigação da Floresta e Papel; Leipa Group GmbH, Leipa Georg Leinfelder GmbH, Leipa Polska sp. z o.o. , KENT-PAK Opakowania Sp. z o.o., CAMM Solutions GmbH, Aarhus Universitet, The LCA Center B.V., Technische Universität Graz, Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik, Talleres LEMU SL, OutNature GmbH
