Sulapac

Sulapac is a Helsinki-based materials company that develops bio-based, biodegradable compounds intended to replace conventional fossil-based plastics in consumer-facing applications. Its materials are made from wood-based raw materials, described in early company communications as FSC-certified wood chips combined with natural binders, and are stated to biodegrade fully without leaving permanent microplastics or toxic residues behind. The company reports biobased content of 70-100% across its portfolio and states that switching from conventional plastic to Sulapac can deliver up to a 10x lower cradle-to-gate carbon footprint, and that its materials are recyclable by design [3][5][6][7].

The product portfolio is organised both by manufacturing technology - injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming and 3D printing - and by application area, including cosmetics packaging, thermoformed inserts and trays, reusable tableware, takeaway packaging, straws, cutlery and supplement packaging. Named material families include Sulapac Flow 1.7 for thermoforming (available as sheets in Europe and the U.S.), Sulapac Flow 1.8 for cosmetic pencils, Sulapac Solid (100% biobased, used in reusable cups for quick-service restaurants) and the Luxe family launched in 2023 to replace technical plastics such as ABS in cosmetic packaging. Sulapac also launched a barrier material for water-based cosmetics in 2021 [0][1][2][3].

A central design constraint is drop-in compatibility: Sulapac states its compounds are suitable for mass production using existing plastic converting machinery, production lines and molds, so brands and converters can switch without new capital equipment. The company introduced a manufacturing innovation for existing machinery in 2018 and a "universal recipe" for injection molding in 2019 [0][2][3].

Founding story

Sulapac was founded in 2016 in Helsinki by Dr Suvi Haimi and Dr Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo, biochemists specialising in biomaterials, after observing the volume of single-use plastic in everyday products; Dr Antti Pärssinen is also listed as a co-founder. The stated mission is to save the world from plastic waste [3][6][7].

Business model

Sulapac develops and supplies bio-based material compounds and ready-made products to brand owners and plastic converters, who process the compounds on their existing injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming and 3D printing lines. It also works through partners, including converters such as FaiveleyTech, and offers ready-made packaging products in some categories such as cosmetics and supplements [0][2][3][4].

Traction

Naviter was the first cosmetics producer to use a Sulapac jar, in 2018. CHANEL launched LES EAUX DE CHANEL fragrance caps made with Sulapac in 2021 and later used an exclusive Sulapac material, incorporating the customer's own side stream, for closures in the N°1 de CHANEL beauty range. Other adopters include Shiseido's Ulé brand, Schwan Cosmetics' TheBetterBarrel pencils, Dix Hectares, Marimekko, Fazer, Hesburger, Restel/Burger King, Lumene and Kultakeskus. Sulapac straws are used at St. Regis, Four Seasons Resort and Caesars Palace in Dubai [0][3][4].

Latest developments

Sulapac markets Flow 1.7 thermoforming sheets in Europe and the U.S. and Flow 1.8 for cosmetic pencils, and promotes reusable cups made of 100% biobased Sulapac Solid for quick-service restaurants. In June 2026 the company was named a finalist, with customer Hesburger, in Packaging Europe's Sustainability Awards Reuse category for cups made from Sulapac Solid 2.0, and one of three finalists for the Metsä360 Award. In August 2026 YOM Beauty launched a lip product whose lid, seal and spatula use Sulapac material [0][1][6][7].