Sonoco Secures EU Declaration of Compliance for Fibrepak Cellulosic Packaging

Sonoco's acquisition of TEQ (Thermoformed Engineered Quality) in Huntley, Illinois, has enabled the company to announce that Fibrepak’s cellulosic packaging—made from sustainably sourced wood fibers—will receive an EU Declaration of Compliance (DOC) for food‑contact materials. The product meets Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards.

In 2016, TEQ expanded by acquiring Fibrepak (Poland) and Plastique (UK). Production currently occurs in Poland, but there are plans to launch Fibrepak at TEQ’s U.S. facilities in Huntley, IL, and Fremont, IN, according to a PT source. The thermoformed wet‑pulp material is poised to disrupt the food sector once it satisfies the EU’s stringent food‑contact regulations, which mandate a written Declaration of Compliance for certain materials, such as recycled plastics.

Fibrepak’s manufacturing process transforms natural fibers into high‑tolerance thermoformed pulp products through a proprietary vacuum method and cure‑in‑the‑mold technology. Heat and pressure remove moisture, producing a fully dry, ready‑to‑pack product. The system allows custom solutions—clamshells, trays, inserts—while meeting ISTA and TÜV performance criteria.

Anne‑Sophie Belamine, TEQ’s European sales director, based at the Hucknall Industrial Park near Nottingham, said: "We launched Fibrepak in response to growing customer demand for sustainable solutions. With the DOC secured, we anticipate it becoming a market leader in food packaging. The thermoformed fibre technology complements our extensive thermoforming expertise, enabling us to deliver bespoke, complex, high‑quality packaging—including for fruit and veg."

Fibrepak is non‑toxic, microwave‑safe, static‑free, and offers superior shock absorption. It can be treated for long‑term moisture resistance. Compared to rigid cellular plastic foam, Fibrepak delivers significant logistics benefits by allowing product stacking and nesting.