Glatfelter, US-based supplier of engineered materials, and joint venture (JV) partner ALPLA Group, the packaging solutions and recycling specialist, have announced their partnership with Blue Ocean Closures (BOC), a startup based in Sweden, to develop innovative natural fibre-based closures and other moulded packaging products using dry-forming technology.

As part of this sustainability partnership, Glatfelter and ALPLA are joining together to initially develop high-quality cellulose-based products, like screw caps, that are fully biobased and potentially ocean biodegradable. This unique collaboration will support BOC in its product development and shorten time to market even further, Glatfelter said in a media statement.

“This partnership brings together like-minded companies that share similar sustainability objectives and goals. We are excited to partner with ALPLA and BOC to make more innovative and eco-friendly products that will have a lasting effect on our world,” Chris Astley, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of Glatfelter said in a statement.

“We are investing continuously in the research and use of alternative, bio-based packaging materials to complement our product portfolio. Now we are looking forward to bringing our expertise into the new cooperation with Glatfelter and BOC,” Christian Zmölnig, director corporate research, development and innovation at ALPLA said.

“We are pleased about the partnership with leading companies from the industry. In addition to a common vision for a sustainable future, they also bring enormous competencies in the field of production technology and materials science into our company” Lars Sandberg, chief executive officer of BOC said.