May 14, 2025
Primex Introduces Sulapac to the U.S. Market
– A Premium Wood Composite for Thermoforming That’s Safe for People and the Planet
Primex brings Sulapac® – a groundbreaking material innovation – available for packaging manufacturers across the U.S. Prime Sulapac sheets offer a safe, sustainable, and high-performance alternative to traditional plastics. Designed with both environmental responsibility and manufacturing versatility in mind, the new material marks a major step forward in the sustainability transition of the thermoforming industry.
RICHMOND, IN – May 1st, 2025
Primex is proud to introduce Prime Sulapac sheets – made from a groundbreaking bio-based Sulapac® material that offers a safe, sustainable, and high-performance alternative to traditional plastics. Sulapac® has been developed by Helsinki-based Sulapac Ltd, an award-winning material innovation company trusted by global luxury brands.
By combining the exceptional biomaterial and sustainability expertise, extrusion excellence, and industry experience of the two companies, this partnership has immense potential to accelerate the green transition of the packaging industry at scale.
A Beautifully Sustainable Solution
The Sulapac® material, now offered as customizable sheets by Primex, is a combination of wood from industrial side streams and biodegradable biopolymers. This unique composition delivers the aesthetic appeal of natural fiber products with the durability and functionality of plastics – ideal for thermoforming and a wide range of applications.
The Sulapac® solution for thermoforming features a high bio-based content and is industrially compostable, certified by BPI. The material has a low carbon footprint and can be mechanically recycled, helping to minimize waste and fight climate change. Furthermore, it leaves no persistent microplastics or toxic chemicals behind.
“Our key design principle is to create materials that are safe for people and the planet. To ensure this, we conduct rigorous testing – with internal standards often lightyears ahead of regulation,” says Joona Kontinen, Sulapac’s Growth & Innovations Manager and one of the key players behind the thermoforming material innovation.
Ensuring Operational Efficiency
Unlike many other bio-based materials that require strict temperature control during manufacturing, Prime Sulapac offers natural insulating properties that allow for a broader and more forgiving processing window. This results in greater manufacturing flexibility and fewer production challenges.
Its lower thermoforming temperature requirements can result in up to 20% energy savings due to shorter heating times, leading to reduced production time and increased operational efficiency.
For Versatile Applications
Frequently used as a replacement for traditional plastics like PS, PP, and PET, Prime Sulapac excels in packaging inserts and other thermoformed products including point-of-sale displays, logistic trays, single-use food packaging, and blister cards.
Prime Sulapac provides a smooth surface, offering a refined aesthetic for high-end applications.
“At Primex, we believe sustainability should never mean compromise,” said Kees Bras, Vice President – Sales at Primex. “With Prime Sulapac, we’re offering our customers a material that is as responsible as it is reliable—and as beautiful as it is biodegradable.”
Product and Sales Enquiries:
Jeff Burke, Commercial Development Applications Engineer, Primex Plastics
[email protected], 908 319 0269
Media Enquiries:
Noora Nyländen, Marketing & Communications, Sulapac Ltd
[email protected], +358 40 849 5286
Primex is a leading innovator in thermoplastic sheet extrusion and custom material solutions. With a focus on sustainability, performance, and design, Primex delivers products that meet today’s environmental and industry demands.
Sulapac Ltd accelerates the plastic waste-free future by helping companies replace conventional plastic with sustainable, beautiful and functional materials that are circular by design. The company was founded in 2016 by three scientists Dr. Suvi Haimi, Dr. Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo and Dr. Antti Pärssinen, and was ranked one of Europe’s 100 hottest startups by WIRED UK in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Investors behind Sulapac®, the award-winning, patented material innovation include CHANEL and Sky Ocean Ventures.