PulPac has signed Australian packaging company Zipform Packaging as a licensee of its Dry Molded Fiber technology, in a move aimed at accelerating the development of fibre-based solutions for demanding food packaging applications.
The agreement gives Zipform access to PulPac’s patented process, enabling the company to develop and industrialise fibre-based packaging within its existing operations and customer base.
As part of the collaboration, Zipform is developing a dry moulded fibre meat tray designed for fresh food applications, supported by R&D funding from Meat & Livestock Australia and in partnership with PA Consulting. Early proof-of-concept trials with industry players have delivered positive results, with broader market validation and scale-up the next steps.
A key focus of the development is integrating functionality directly into the pack. Zipform is exploring built-in liquid (purge) management within the tray structure, which could reduce or eliminate the need for absorbent pads and simplify overall pack design.
Sanna Fager, chief commercial officer at PulPac, said the partnership reflects how the company’s licensing model is intended to drive commercial adoption.
“This is exactly how we see Dry Molded Fiber scaling globally, through our licensees who take the technology into real applications,” Fager said.
David Kilpatrick, R&D, technical, innovation and quality director at Zipform Packaging, said the technology opens new opportunities to rethink packaging design and production.
“We are always looking for smarter ways to solve packaging challenges, combining performance with cost efficiency,” Kilpatrick said.
Mark Farrell, product innovation expert at PA Consulting, added that the project is about more than material substitution.
“It’s about rethinking how packaging is designed, engineered and produced, so sustainability and performance evolve together,” Farrell said.
For converters and brand owners, the development points to a broader shift from adding components to solve individual packaging requirements, to designing performance directly into the product.
PulPac will be showcasing ongoing developments in Dry Molded Fiber applications at interpack 2026, Hall 8B/ C53.
