New materials create 100% compostable packaging!

03 August 2022, 10:14

Cass Materials AB is a start-up founded in 2022 and is using nanocellulose to make the next generation of sustainable materials. By not using any toxic chemicals and instead using a breakthrough foaming technology, Cass Materials AB has created CASSPAK packaging materials, made from 100% cellulose materials, which have minimal impact on our ecosystems.

It was in the spring of 2022 that the entrepreneur and researcher Gary Cass moved from Australia to Örnsköldsvik to establish his company Cass Materials AB. Cass saw great opportunities for his company in Örnsköldsvik, more specifically at the High Coast Innovation Park as the location is growing and has become a node for both research and development of bio-based alternatives.

- I am very happy with my new CASSPAK foams for sustainable packaging and believe that it is the resources; human, research, and industrial available at the High Coast Innovation Park that has been instrumental in this development.” Cass said.

The company has now developed a revolutionary foam technology with materials from the forest industry’s residual side-streams that can be used as a sustainable alternative to today's foam packaging made of plastic. CASSPAK foams are made from residual streams from the biorefinery Domsjö Fabriker. Cass Materials has succeeded in finding new areas of use for residual streams that would otherwise not be but energy recycled.

- Finding new opportunities for products or materials from residual streams that are currently only energy recycled, that is the core of the biorefinery concept that Domsjö Fabriker works with. This concept looks very promising, and we look forward to further development work with this side stream from Domsjö Fabriker, says Hans Grundberg, Process Engineer at Domsjö Fabriker.

Currently, the main types of foams used in the packaging industry are all fossil-based. The materials used are not biodegradable, and some believe that it can take up to 500 years for nature itself to break down these products. As CASSPAK packaging material is made of 100% cellulose fibers, it can be thrown directly into the compost and does not create pollution or accelerate climate change.

- Cass Materials is working with other groups in the High Coast Innovation Park to develop more bio-based materials that will be excellent sustainable replacement for fossil-based materials, Gary then added This technology will play a major role as society moves to a more circular economy.

The European’s “Green Deal” overarching goal is climate neutrality in 2050, with a reduction of emissions by at least 55% in 2030. The foam packaging industry can help to achieve these goals by using new and innovative biobased materials, such as CASSPAK packaging materials.