Study Sees Growth for Molded Pulp as End Market for Recovered Fiber

The findings of a study by the Waste & Resources Action Programme exploring the opportunities for recycled paper fiber in molded paper pulp products have identified the potential for considerable market growth.

The study found that a strong but niche market currently exists; however, if technical and perception barriers could be addressed, considerable market growth could be achieved.

The objectives of the study, carried out by PendlePace on behalf of WRAP, were:

* to identify the current and potential markets for MPP;

* to assess the opportunities to increase the use of recovered fiber and

* to identify the best available technology for the manufacture of MPP.

The UK is currently one of the highest per capita consumers of MPP in Europe using between 45,000-55,000 metric tons per year. The largest uses in the UK fall into four categories: egg packaging (28,000tpa), medical applications (8,000tpa), industrial uses (8,600tpa) and food/fruit packaging (4,200tpa).

In the current market climate, the study projects an overall market sector growth of two percent per year over the next five years. The white goods and industrial sectors were identified as having the highest potential growth rate (six to ten percent per year).

A range of technical barriers were identified during the course of the study which are limiting the potential growth rates. These include technological weakness of product design, the energy inefficient de-watering involved in the production process, and market perception of molded pulp. If these barriers are overcome, then considerable market growth could be achieved.

Conclusions from the study identify four key issues as the most important for the short to medium term development and evolution of the UK MPP industry:

* the formation of a UK (or European) molded pulp trade association to promote market/product development and provide technical resource for the MPP industry;

* the implementation of successful case studies to demonstrate the benefits of MPP, and to raise product awareness across the packaging market;

* the achievement of significant energy efficiency improvements and improved wet-pressing techniques; and

* the transition to a post-consumer recovered-fiber-based industry.

A full copy of the report is available by clicking on the following link: Molded Pulp Report