FibreForm Paper ties (Design)

BillerudKorsnas contracted Design Futures to work with a new paper material they had developed. The material is FibreForm, a paper with an exceptionally high tear strength. BillerudKornas requested our structural design team research the packaging sector and suggest existing packaging solutions that could be replaced with products made from FibreForm. The main features of FibreForm is it is made from sustainable resources and is 100% recyclable. Due to its high burst strength BillerudKornsnas were focusing on the replacement of formed plastics for structural packaging and deep embossing for decoration. Our research identified a use in a different packaging requirement, the replacement of injection moulded plastic ties used to hold products into paper board packaging. We produced some design concepts and presented to Marks and Spencer as an environmentally responsible replacement for the plastic ties used on their toy packaging. Marks and Spencer were keen to implement this new alternative in order to improve the toy ranges environmental impact and improve the opening experience for their customers. Our designs were refined and developed to suit a new range of toys launched in store nationally and online for Christmas 2014. The ties had a positive impact and received wide coverage in the UK printed media and online. The ties are available in M&S today and we are currently working with M&S to expand their use in the company and for use by other retailers. M&S and Sheffield Hallam University have applied for Patent protection. M&S have also contracted with us to look at where FibreForm can be used to replace other packaging products in their stores.