Freeform Packaging (FFP) is a Swedish company owned by the Swedish paper and board company, BillerudKorsnäs and Curti, an Italian machine producer based in Bologna. The core business is to sell a system for producing formable paper packaging. FFP is mainly a selling and marketing company since the company’s products are manufactured by its owners.
The history of FreeFormPack® began with an idea and a desire to do something that had never been done before. Nabore Benini, the MD of Curti had an idea that he wanted to revolutionize the packaging market. He had come across a sample of paper that had a good stretch ability and with this paper in hand he put the engineers to work. Out came the first seed of what now is known as FreeFormPack®. The goal was, and still is, to challenge the traditional plastic jars with a more sustainable paper based package.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: FFP is marketing/selling a solution consisting of a stretchable, paper based, laminate and a special forming/packaging machine, the FreeFormPack® Machine, that can produce a packaging/jar, the FreeFormPack® out of the laminate. The solution components are not tied for the customer, but the solution is not complete or utilize all the benefits that the system can offer if the customer choose to source the machine or material from other suppliers.
Beside the core business FFP assist customers with design matters and other services that goes hand in hand with being a full solution provider.
E.E: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: FFP has launched a one sided laminate that has a content of 85% paper. Its stretchable and can be used in a normal FreeFormPack Machine.
Later this year the company will launch a bio-degradable and compostable material. This will be a good fit to the markets which has recycling stream for compostable packaging materials.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: The FreeFormPack can be used for food, confectionary, piece goods, beauty products, detergent and much more. What is normally put into a plastic jar can be in a FreeFormPack.
The FreeFormPack is not a package that is used ”on the go”, it is used for products that last several servings or carries the product for a long period of time. The FreeFormPack Machine can handle several different laminates that opens up for a wide range of products. During 2021 that interest from the cometic industry has gone from very low to extremely high. The cosmetic industry consumes a lot of plastic and many of the Brand Owners has to decrease the use by 50%. This has turned out o be a big potential for FFP.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: The market is mature but FFP’s innovative packaging is totally new. The packaging market is going through a big change since the war against plastic is a fact. The demand to lower the plastic consumption and increase the amount of packaging that is being recycled is demanding and challenging. The FreeFormPack, that lower the use of plastic, is good example how a brand owner can lower its use of plastic but in the same time keep a nice form on their packaging.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: The trend is to use less non-renewable resources when producing packaging. The 3 R is very important. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. We discuss these topics on daily basis and all our potential customers wants to get reduce the amount of plastic or get rid of it.
Beside the 3 R the brand owners have very much acknowledge the power of the consumers and how they are seeking for earthly friendly packaging. Most of the multinational companies has sustainability on their agendas and the trend is that they are not just speaking about, they need to act in accordance as well.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: The most innovative product launched is the oxygen tight package that FFP launched in 2020. To get a formed paper packing oxygen tight is a big challenge and it took the company 5 – 6 years to achieve the goal. The result of the new material and packaging is that the FreeFormPack can be used for a whole new range of products that is sensitive to oxygen. This was a big break through.
FFP’s Standard Paper Out laminate, that was launched this year, which contains 85% cellulose/paper is the most innovative product launched so far. have at the moment. It is a stretchable material that allows our customers to produce formed paper packaging that can hold their products.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
FREEFORM PACKAGING: FFP hope to sell a number of systems during 2021 but Covid is challenging since it has made traveling difficult and many brand owners has kept their factories isolated not to jeopardize its production. This is a challenge for many but very challenging for a company selling new machinery and systems. FFP’s show room and factory is based in Italy and there has been very few visitors the previous 15 months. The factory has been able to stay open throughout this time so there has been a good time for developing new parts to the system.
