Lactips, a French company specialising in the production of natural polymers, has reached a strategic partnership with Walki, a Finnish packaging converting company.
The two companies have entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) to create fully biodegradable, plastics-free food packaging comprising natural polymers that are recyclable in the paper stream.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The EU has taken steps to address the increasing plastic waste problem through the Single-Use Plastics Directive.
This legislation encourages customers in the food packaging industry to replace traditional fossil-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives.
The directive specifically targets single-use plastics such as yoghurt cups and snack pouches, which are typically used once and discarded.
Lactips and Walki have decided to collaborate through the JDA to develop a paper-based food packaging material with a natural polymer coating.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataSince 2022, both companies have been working together to develop a grade suitable for Walki’s transformation process.
Walki Group executive vice-president for Consumer Packaging and Innovation & Sustainability Annika Sundell said: “This partnership is a win-win. We appreciate the speed and innovation that Lactips as a startup comes with and are happy to provide our expertise and state-of-the-art production lines for piloting the solutions.”
Lactips is involved in the development and manufacturing of plastic-free, 100% biobased materials that are water-soluble and completely biodegradable in various environments.
In 2021, Lactips partnered with environmental nonprofit CITEO to develop a coating solution for food and nonfood applications.
Meanwhile, Walki operates as an international group organised into three business areas: consumer packaging, packaging materials, and engineered materials.
The group has operations in 11 countries across Europe and Asia, with an annual turnover of approximately €627m ($673m) recorded in 2023 and a workforce of roughly 1,700 employees.
