James Cropper 3D Products (JC3DP) was formally launched at the London Packaging Innovations show in September where it showcased its range of sustainable moulded fibre products for use in packaging.
“A number of exciting development projects and prototyping activities have commenced,” said Cropper, “the first phase of our investment earlier this calendar year facilitated these, and proved a stand-out ability to create FSC certified moulded paper packaging in vibrant colour.” He added, “Advantages include uniform wall thickness, easy creation of cavitations and holes and clear and sharp embossing. As well as consistency of colour and a quality finish, the material is easily recyclable with household paper.
“We know that the recycling rates for paper in the UK are far higher than those for plastic. As it is 100% recyclable with household paper our moulded paper is easy for consumers to dispose of in their recycling and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”
The moulded paper packaging is made using wood fibre from responsibly managed FSC certified forests. All fresh fibre is either elemental chlorine free (ECF) or totally chlorine free (TCF).
Chief Technology officer Patrick Willink said: “FSC certification gives us the confidence we need in the origins of our raw materials. Just as importantly it allows us to pass that confidence on to our customers so they can relay it to consumers.”
JC3DP is already working with a number of blue chip companies who want to use a sustainable alternative in their packaging.
“Although we aren’t claiming that we can replace plastic entirely,” Willink said, “we know we can offer a true alternative in a multitude of applications that has the inherent quality, warmth and tactility of luxury paper. We are using cure-in-the-mould technology to realise the full potential of paper in a way that has significant benefits for brand owners, consumers and the environment.” He added that the colour lab and master blenders have developed the ability to match any colour customers require.
“We have been doing this in our luxury paper business for a long time and now we are applying these skills to moulded paper. Our expertise and knowledge in fibre blending allows us to create the precise combination of raw materials to make moulded paper that has a real consistency and depth of colour. What’s more, we can repeat the process with perfect results every time. We know from experience that the product can be used for packaging across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, consumer electronics, luxury drinks, giftware and e-retail.”
In 2013, James Cropper unveiled a purpose-built Reclaimed Fibre Facility, the first commercial processing plant able to separate valuable pulp fibres from the polythene lining of billions of pre-consumer cups thrown away each year. The British manufacturer now returns those fibres to the supply chain in Coffee, a range of papers that demonstrate the highest standards in sustainable, luxury paper production.
In January, James Cropper announced a partnership with fast food giant McDonald’s with a trial recycling scheme. Paper cups were collected from McDonald’s and then baled by Simply Cups, the UK’s only paper cup recovery and recycling scheme, before being delivered to James Cropper for reprocessing. The company is in the development stage of producing a system to enhance coffee cup recycling.
“The move to post-consumer coffee cup recycling is dependent on a wide range of factors, in particular action taken by brands and waste management organisations to gather the waste,” said Willink. “However, we would hope to implement this as soon as is practically possible.”
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