Swedish startup Blue Ocean Closures (BOC) has just achieved what many in the packaging industry considered a distant goal: making fibre-based screw caps not only more sustainable than plastic, but also more affordable. This commercial breakthrough marks a significant shift for beverage manufacturers seeking to reduce their environmental impact without inflating production costs.

BOC’s newest generation of fibre screw caps is now cost-competitive with traditional fossil-based plastics, offering an innovative solution that merges sustainability with economic viability. Until now, packaging made from renewable fibres often came at a premium. BOC has changed the game by refining its proprietary fibre-forming process, which uses widely available virgin or recycled carton board feedstock — a material that is not only more environmentally friendly but also cheaper than conventional plastics.

A Sustainable Alternative That Delivers Performance

BOC’s innovation goes beyond just materials. Their technology enables ultra-fast production cycles — with each cap formed in under two seconds — and slashes energy consumption to roughly one-tenth of that required by conventional plastic moulding methods. This energy efficiency, combined with low material costs, positions the fibre closure as a cost-leading low-carbon option for the beverage industry.

Key benefits for beverage makers include:

• Ultra-fast production: Sub-two-second cycles maximise throughput and scalability.
• Drastically lower energy usage: Minimal power demand significantly cuts carbon footprints.
• Material efficiency: Uses cost-effective, recyclable feedstock.

This development has not gone unnoticed. The Absolut Group is already piloting BOC’s closures as part of their sustainability strategy, signaling strong commercial interest from global beverage brands.

Regulatory and Consumer Pressure Drives Adoption

As new EU regulations mandate recyclability and carbon reduction, and as global brands commit to circularity goals, BOC’s solution lands at exactly the right time. The closures are designed to be recyclable within existing paper recycling streams, removing the friction associated with complex or non-recyclable packaging components. This design not only aligns with environmental mandates but also reduces compliance risk and increases operational efficiency for producers.

More Than Functional: A Tool for Brand Differentiation

Beyond their environmental credentials, BOC’s fibre closures offer a premium look and feel that enhances the customer experience. The tactile and visual qualities of the fibre material help elevate brand perception, while customisable geometries provide design flexibility and shelf impact — a combination that appeals to both eco-conscious and design-oriented consumers.

“For the first time, we can say that fibre-based closures can be cost competitive — or even lower in cost — compared to fossil plastics, while using only a fraction of the energy,” said Lars Sandberg, CEO of Blue Ocean Closures. “This is the moment when sustainability and profitability truly align.”

BOC’s achievement represents a major step forward for the packaging and beverage sectors. With production costs no longer a barrier, and with growing pressure from regulators and consumers alike, fibre closures are poised to become a mainstream choice for drinks packaging worldwide.