PulPac's Malaysia-based licensee HZ Green Pulp has partnered with Hotpack Global to widen the market presence of its dry-moulded fibre (DMF) products.

The arrangement links HZ’s DMF manufacturing with Hotpack’s foodservice packaging line, with the intention of supplying more fibre-based products to foodservice buyers.

HZ Green Pulp is part of Malaysia-based HZ Corporation and has invested in DMF technology to develop fibre-based substitutes for the foodservice packaging sector.

Through HZP Eco Packaging, a newly announced joint venture between HZ Corporation and Hotpack Global, the business is extending the commercial reach of its DMF line.

HZ Green Pulp CEO Donald Yap said: “With Hotpack’s portfolio and customer network, we see an opportunity to make our first dry-moulded fibre application, the coffee lid, part of a broader and more practical offer for customers. It strengthens our ability to serve the market with fibre-based solutions that are easy to adopt, while opening the door for more dry-moulded fibre applications over time.”

The partnership brings together HZ Corporation’s production base in Malaysia and Hotpack’s scale, distribution channels and existing foothold in foodservice packaging.

For HZ Green Pulp, the deal offers a route to place its first DMF product, a coffee lid, alongside related foodservice items, including paper cups.

In time, the partnership could also enable further product pairings as HZ Green Pulp continues developing its DMF range.

Invented and patented by PulPac, DMF is an industrial fibre-forming method for high-speed production of rigid packaging.

The process is said to use little water and less energy compared to conventional fibre moulding.

PulPac chief commercial officer Sanna Fager said: “This is an important next step for HZ Green Pulp and a strong signal of their belief in dry-moulded fibre.

“By pairing dry-moulded fibre applications with complementary foodservice packaging, HZ can make it easier for customers to move toward fibre-based solutions. It also shows how our licensees are increasingly taking the lead in bringing the technology to market.”