Metsä Group and Amcor have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop a recyclable three-dimensional moulded fibre food packaging solution, combining Metsä’s renewable material expertise with Amcor’s barrier film technology.
The partnership will bring together Muoto™, a wood-based moulded fibre solution developed by Metsä Spring, and Amcor’s advanced high-barrier film liner and lidding technology. The resulting packaging aims to meet growing industry and consumer demands for more sustainable alternatives to plastic, while maintaining high performance in food protection and shelf-life extension.
“Our collaboration with Amcor represents a significant step forward in more sustainable packaging innovation,” said Jarkko Tuominen, Vice President, Projects at Metsä Spring. “Metsä Group and Amcor have a longstanding relationship built on a shared commitment to reducing our environmental impact. Together, we are redefining the future of food packaging.”
Muoto is made from pulp sourced from traceable Nordic forests and is both renewable and recyclable. When combined with Amcor’s film technologies, the new solution allows for heat-sealed lidding — a critical functionality in many food packaging applications. The companies said the fibre-based packaging will be recyclable in the paper stream in most markets, with a CEPI recyclability score exceeding 80%. Long-term development goals include creating a fully compostable variant.
Amcor’s Vice President for Fiber, Ilya Syshchikov, emphasised the complementary strengths of the two companies: “I am excited about this collaboration with our good partner Metsä. Both parties bring a wealth of materials, packaging and market knowledge to deliver more sustainable solutions to our customers with exceptional quality, functionality and efficiency.”
The new packaging is intended for a wide range of food applications, including meat, dairy, beverages, snacks, and dry culinary goods. The first commercialised solutions from the partnership are expected to be available in European markets later this year.
Amcor’s fibre-based packaging already spans its AmFiber™ global portfolio and specialty cartons business, with products on shelves globally. The integration with Muoto builds on this platform, offering added value to brands seeking fibre-based packaging options without compromising performance.
Metsä Group is currently operating a demonstration plant in Äänekoski to produce Muoto and has launched a pre-engineering project to evaluate investment into a full-scale commercial production facility.
