Sulapac Flow 1.7: sustainable thermoforming for premium brands

For high-end brands, every detail matters – from the product itself to the packaging that showcases it. Traditional thermoformed plastics have long been the standard in packaging inserts, but they fall short in both environmental responsibility and aesthetic appeal. The bio-based and biodegradable Sulapac Flow 1.7 changes this narrative, offering a sustainable thermoforming material that doesn’t compromise on look and feel or performance.

Sulapac Flow 1.7—a thermoforming material that speaks luxury

Conventional plastic is still dominating the world of thermoforming, valued for its cost-efficiency and technical qualities. However, brands struggle with its sustainability and aesthetic challenges. 

Especially for luxury brands, every packaging element – from the outer shell to the protective inserts – must reflect premium quality and environmental responsibility. After all, you don’t pack a Rolex in a cheap-looking plastic box.

Traditional thermoforming materials not only burden the environment but also often require post-processing like flocking or coating to achieve a premium finish. Most premium brands enhance the plastic inserts used in packaging with leather- or suede-like finishes.

Sulapac Flow 1.7, a bio-based and biodegradable thermoforming material, changes this story entirely.

“The material has a pleasant appearance on its own, so most of our customers opt not to cover it,” says Sulapac’s Sales Director Juho Luukkanen.

This results in lower costs by removing an extra step in the production process.

 

“The material is visually very attractive and looks natural and eco-friendly. In other words, it’s obvious to our higher-end clients and the general public that this most definitely isn’t a traditional thermoforming plastic. Our clients that have used this material so far have been very impressed. It’s so refreshing to be able to offer something that doesn’t need a hard sell!”

– Richard Moor, Director, Thomas Ellis Engineering

 

Color and detail for creative designers

Sulapac Flow 1.7 offers an unmatched level of customisation and detail, making it an ideal choice for designers who want to combine innovative design with sustainability. Its standout features include:

• Vibrant color options: Achieve virtually any color with master batches, just like with conventional plastics
• Effortless labelling: Designs in molds directly or branding into the material

Unlike fiber forming or cardboard-based alternatives, Sulapac Flow 1.7 allows intricate details to be directly molded into the product, ensuring uniformity and a seamless production process.

While Sulapac Flow has the technical qualities of plastic, its texture has a unique, fiber-like quality – smooth, refined, and distinctly different from the synthetic look and feel of conventional plastics. It signals quality and sustainability at the very first touch.

 

No Loose Particles to Spoil the Premium Vibe

 For high-end cosmetics and other premium consumer brands, packaging—such as a beautifully designed perfume bottle—is a key element of the customer experience. Thus, it becomes a significant issue if secondary packaging, like molded fiber inserts, releases fiber particles that stick to the bottle. This challenge has, in fact, prevented some companies from switching to renewable materials, even if they wanted to.

Sulapac Flow 1.7 solves this problem: the material emits zero loose particles while providing the environmental benefits of fiber-based products. With Sulapac, you don’t have to compromise the customer experience—even in the tiniest details.

 

Cost and performance: breaking the sustainability myth

Despite the common belief that renewable materials come at the expense of performance and cost-efficiency, Sulapac Flow 1.7 breaks that myth. While the material may have a slightly higher cost than conventional thermoforming materials, it delivers significant savings by removing the need for post-processing steps like flocking or coating. A more streamlined production process saves time and money without compromising on quality or design.

For manufacturers, Sulapac Flow is just as easy to work with as conventional plastic, and requires lower temperatures which means more energy savings. Moreover, it’s a drop-in solution. This means manufacturers can replace their existing thermoforming material without having to invest in new equipment.

The future of thermoforming is planet-friendly

With new packaging regulations pushing for more sustainable solutions, bio-based and biodegradable thermoforming materials like Sulapac Flow 1.7 aren’t just a trend – they’re the future. They allow forward-thinking companies to embrace packaging materials that are:

• Environmentally responsible
• Visually stunning
• Technically superior
• Cost-efficient and fast to produce

The era of compromise between functionality, sustainability and beauty is over.

 

Ready to make the switch from conventional plastic to an elegant and eco-friendly thermoforming material? Reach out to our experts today – they’ll be happy to help you!

Sulapac Ltd is an award-winning material innovation company bringing solutions to the global plastic crisis. By replacing conventional plastic with sustainable, beautiful, and functional Sulapac materials, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, eliminate microplastic pollution, and advance the circular economy. The Helsinki-based company was founded by three scientists in 2016 and serves customers across various industries on three continents. Investors behind Sulapac®, the patented material innovation, include CHANEL and Sky Ocean Ventures.