For years, brand manufacturers have shown keen interest in fiber bottles due to their lightweight, robust, and renewable nature. Typically sourced from wood, companies are now exploring fibers from alternative renewable sources like food industry waste.

Enter Curran, derived from the Gaelic word for carrot, the natural, biodegradable raw material developed by Scottish company CelluComp. Initially produced from carrot chips, the material now involves extracting nano-cellulose fibers from root vegetables, particularly sugar beet chips, a byproduct of the sugar industry.

In a recent collaboration, CelluComp joined forces with RyPax, an Asian manufacturer specializing in molded fiber packaging. Together, they pioneered a fully fiber bottle, a breakthrough achieved through the development of a novel cellulose fiber blend comprising Curran, bamboo, and bagasse. This innovative mix resulted in an exceptionally robust material with minimal porosity. The bottles, shaped from this blend, can receive a thin, impermeable coating on the inside, also made from natural raw materials and biodegradable, rendering a plastic coating unnecessary.

The collaborative efforts of RyPax and CelluComp spanned over three years, culminating in a commercially viable fiber bottle format. Their work received validation from the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), a crucial partner in creating robust proofs of concept.

While the current application targets water and powdered goods, the partnership envisions expanding production to industrial sectors such as beverages, cosmetics, health, medical, and food. Additionally, RyPax and CelluComp aim to further develop fiber solutions in collaboration with DTI, exploring fiber screw threads, fasteners, thinner coatings, and innovative branding techniques for the bottles. This pioneering collaboration signifies a promising step towards a more sustainable and diverse range of fiber-based packaging solutions.