A groundbreaking collaboration among Holmen Iggesund, Krekelberg, Inmaco Solutions, and Van de Velde Packaging Group has brought forth the Flock Box, a revolutionary packaging concept that marries natural fiber flocking technology with paperboard to yield a premium, fully recyclable gift box.
Distinguished by its zero plastic composition, the Flock Box comprises an intricately embossed outer casing and an inner tray featuring tailored cavities of diverse shapes and sizes, ideal for presenting an array of items. The inner tray's opulent aesthetic is achieved through flocking technology, harnessing static electric currents to elevate fibers, evoking a plush velvet-like texture.
Per Berglund, Head of Formables at Holmen Iggesund, underscores the pivotal role of Holmen Iggesund's highly formable paperboard, Inverform, in enabling the Flock Box's realization. "The Flock Box has been enabled by the development of Holmen Iggesund's highly formable paperboard Inverform, which has unique characteristics that allow it to be press-formed in the required shapes," Berglund states.
In a concerted effort, Krekelberg, a Dutch company renowned for its mastery of flocked materials since 1948, has imbued Inverform with cellulose fibers, imparting a sumptuous luxury feel to the board, customizable in any desired hue.
Facilitating the project, Inmaco Solutions, a Dutch machine builder, has fabricated the tools necessary to press-form the flocked Inverform inserts, while Van de Velde Packaging Group has fashioned the outer packaging of the Flock Box from Holmen Iggesund's Invercote DUO paperboard. The top part of the inserts, crafted from Inverform, underwent precision die-cutting. To elevate the gift box's allure, the surface was treated to accentuate the embossing and luxurious tactile experience.
Berglund emphasizes the Flock Box's alignment with the growing trend of conscious luxury brands seeking fiber-based alternatives to plastics. "We are seeing more and more conscious luxury brands wanting to replace plastic with fiber-based solutions," Berglund notes. "The Flock Box is made of board and fibers that are 100% recyclable in the existing paper collection stream, contributing directly to a circular packaging ecosystem."
Sourced from sustainably managed forests, the paperboards utilized in crafting the Flock Box originate from Holmen Iggesund. Comprising fresh wood fibers, these paperboards epitomize a renewable raw material ideally suited for recycling. The outer box, fashioned from Invercote DUO, boasts printing surfaces conducive to the optimal reproduction of sophisticated printing images. Meanwhile, the inner tray, constructed from Inverform, embodies high stiffness, tailored for stable pressed and folded trays with an exceptional visual appeal.
The advent of the Flock Box signifies a milestone in sustainable packaging innovation, offering an eco-conscious alternative without compromising on luxury or functionality.
