Zipform Packaging becomes new PulPac licensee

PulPac has signed Australia-based Zipform Packaging as a new licensee of its Dry Molded Fiber technology, marking a step forward in scaling fiber-based solutions into demanding food packaging applications.

The license agreement gives Zipform access to PulPac’s patented technology, enabling the company to develop and industrialize new fiber-based packaging solutions within its existing business and customer base.

Building on this, Zipform is developing a Dry Molded Fiber meat tray designed to meet the specific requirements of fresh food packaging, supported by R&D funding from Meat & Livestock Australia. The product development is carried out in collaboration with PulPac’s partner PA Consulting. The first proof of concept has been tested with selected industry players, showing very positive results. The next phase includes broader market validation, followed by industrialization and planned investment in production capacity through PulPac’s partner network.

This approach illustrates how PulPac’s licensing model is put into practice, enabling partners to move from concept to commercial applications by combining technology access with industrial scale-up.

As part of the development, Zipform is exploring how functionality can be built directly into the packaging. One example is integrated liquid (purge) management within the tray structure, reducing or potentially eliminating the need for a separate absorbent pad and simplifying the overall packaging system.

“This is exactly how we see Dry Molded Fiber scaling globally, through our licensees who take the technology into real applications,” says Sanna Fager, Chief Commercial Officer at PulPac. “Zipform combines strong packaging expertise with a clear focus on solving customer challenges, and this project shows how performance, design, and functionality can come together in a commercially viable solution.”

“We are always looking for smarter ways to solve packaging challenges, combining performance with cost efficiency,” says David Kilpatrick, R&D, Technical, Innovation and Quality Director of Zipform Packaging. “Dry Molded Fiber gives us new opportunities to rethink how packaging is designed and produced, and to deliver solutions that meet both functional and commercial requirements.”

“This is about more than replacing plastic with fiber,” says Mark Farrell, product innovation expert at PA Consulting. “It’s about rethinking how packaging is designed, engineered and produced, so sustainability and performance evolve together. We’re excited to continue developing Dry Molded Fiber products in close partnership with PulPac and Zipform Packaging.”

For converters and brands, the development highlights a practical shift: from adding components to solve individual requirements, to designing performance directly into the product from the start.

PulPac will showcase ongoing developments in Dry Molded Fiber applications at Interpack 2026, Hall 8B / C53.

About Zipform Packaging

Zipform Packaging is an Australia-based packaging company specializing in fiber-based and composite packaging solutions. With a focus on reducing cost and material complexity, Zipform develops packaging that replaces plastic and metal with paper-based alternatives. By combining material expertise, product design, and advanced manufacturing technologies, the company supports customers in creating high-performance packaging solutions with improved resource efficiency. Learn more at www.zipformpackaging.com.au/