Finnish sustainable materials start-up Fiberdom has entered a partnership with Kiefel to accelerate the commercial rollout of recyclable and home-compostable fiber-based packaging solutions. The agreement combines Fiberdom’s Duranova material with Kiefel’s dry fiber forming technology, creating cost-efficient packaging designed to replace conventional plastic formats.
Duranova, developed through Fiberdom’s patented process, transforms Forest Stewardship Council-certified pulp and paperboard into a durable, mouldable and fully plastic-free material. It is already in use within Finland for single-use cutlery sold through retailers and B2B wholesalers. Building on that initial success, Fiberdom and Kiefel intend to extend Duranova’s applications to new product categories and markets. Early collaboration efforts are targeting packaging that requires high strength, lightweight properties, and three-dimensional formability, all well suited to dry fiber forming technology.
Examples under development include certified home compostable beverage cup lids, margarine container lids, and single-use cutlery. The partners report that several market-ready concepts are advancing through testing and refinement at Kiefel’s laboratories, where researchers are also investigating further opportunities to substitute non-essential plastics with fiber-based packaging alternatives. Traditionally, complex packaging shapes requiring high performance have been produced through wet forming to avoid cracks and wrinkles, but the companies note that dry forming, when paired with Duranova’s bending resistance, can reduce water consumption, boost energy efficiency, and cut material costs.
Fiberdom general manager Tomi Järvenpää commented: “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.” Earlier this year, Fiberdom secured €3.5m ($3.7m) in funding led by Heino Group, alongside Nordic Foodtech VC and Holdix, to scale its plastic-free, circular material technology.