Alpla, specialized in sustainable and recyclable packaging, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Paboco (The Paper Bottle Company). Paboco, the innovative paper packaging company, has developed a bottle made of FSC-certified cellulose that is fully recyclable and ready to enter the market by the end of 2024. This acquisition not only reinforces Alpla’s commitment to sustainable solutions, but also enriches its offering, helping customers meet growing European regulations on packaging waste.
Never questioning the value of plastic as an irreplaceable material for multiple applications, Alpla continues to invest in R&D to propose complementary and sustainable alternatives. The goal is not to replace plastic, but to offer new solutions that can complement and enrich sustainable packaging options. This is where Paboco comes in.
Founded in 2019 as a joint venture between Alpla and Billerud, Paboco concretely meets the needs of companies in the beauty and personal care, home textiles, and food sectors interested in exploring new packaging solutions. By acquiring Billerud’s shares and investing in Paboco, Alpla will be able to increase production capacity and accelerate the rapid industrialization of the fully recyclable paper bottle made from FSC-certified fibers.
“Our solutions must meet fundamental criteria of safety, accessibility and sustainability,” said Tiziano Andreini, Managing Director of Alpla Italy. “After years of intensive development and revolutionary innovations, the Paboco team is ready to bring a pioneering product to market and position the paper bottle as a sustainable alternative for a wide range of customers. Through the use of paper and cutting-edge technologies, we are offering concrete and sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging, contributing to our vision of a rethought plastic.”
Since 2021, Paboco has been testing its first products in the market with the Paboco Pioneer Community, consisting of major global brands such as The Absolut Company, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, L’Oréal, and Procter & Gamble. After the successful test phase, mass production of the new generation of recyclable paper bottles is scheduled to begin in late 2024.
This acquisition and the enhancement of Paboco’s technological capacity reflect Alpla’s commitment to an ecological transition that also involves the use of bio-based materials. With the new headquarters and development center in Denmark, Alpla will be able to support its mission of a waste-free future, completing the vision of a circular economy for a positive and lasting impact on our planet.
In Italy, Alpla’s commitment to a sustainable future is reflected not only in its production facilities but also in its educational-educational initiative “Plastic has changed – Change your mind about plastic, ” a project that aims to raise awareness among the public, particularly young people and schools, about the proper understanding of plastic, its sustainable use and the importance of recycling.