Finnish sustainable materials start-up Fiberdom has teamed up with Kiefel to expedite the development and commercialisation of fibre-based packaging that is entirely recyclable and home compostable.
The collaboration pairs Fiberdom’s fibre-based Duranova material with Kiefel’s dry fibre forming technology to produce packaging solutions cost-effectively, according to a statement from the Finnish company.
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Fiberdom’s patented technology transforms Forest Stewardship Council-certified pulp and paperboard into a durable, mouldable and fully plastic-free material called Duranova.
The material is already commercially proven and used in 100% plastic-free, home-compostable single-use cutlery available through retailers and B2B wholesalers in Finland.
The alliance builds on Fiberdom’s market entry with single-use cutlery and aims to expand Duranova’s application to new packaging formats and markets.
Initial efforts will focus on solutions that are well-suited to dry forming technology, requiring high material strength and formability in three-dimensional structures, together with low weight and material efficiency.
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By GlobalDataExamples cited include certified home compostable beverage cup lids, margarine container lids and single-use cutlery.
Multiple market-ready applications are reported to be possible, with final testing and fine-tuning presently ongoing in Kiefel’s laboratories. These research and development activities are also exploring further applications to replace non-essential plastics with fibre-based alternatives.
Packaging applications with complex shapes and high-performance requirements are traditionally produced using a wet forming process to prevent cracks and wrinkles during forming.
Kiefel’s dry forming technology is ideal for certain types of packaging, supporting products with specific geometric requirements.
For some product geometries, dry forming combined with Fiberdom’s formability and bending resistance can yield significant reductions in water consumption, energy efficiency improvements and improved material cost-effectiveness.
Fiberdom general manager Tomi Järvenpää stated: “Lots of products on the market talk about compostability, but many are only industrially compostable. They also usually have additives that inhibit recyclability. Fiberdom’s Duranova is fully recyclable and home compostable.
“By adding our advanced materials to Kiefel’s manufacturing and moulding expertise, we’re unlocking exciting potential for new fibre-based packaging applications that are simultaneously highly formable and truly sustainable, while remaining competitive and cost-effective.”
In early 2025, Fiberdom raised €3.5m ($3.7m) to advance its plastic-free, circular material technology. The funding round was led by long-term investor Heino Group, with contributions from Nordic Foodtech VC and Holdix.
