"Origami wasn't available at a large scale in packaging applications," says Jarmo Kouko, a research team leader at VTT, a research and technology company owned by the Finnish government. "I thought it could be something worth pursuing." This perspective reflects an innovative approach to packaging, moving towards sustainable alternatives and offering a fresh look at protecting goods during transport.
Using the Miura fold, an origami pattern originally developed for compactly packing solar panels, turns regular paperboard into a more protective material. "The compressive strength is quite good," Kouko says, emphasizing how the structure's 'mountains and valleys' give it durability while remaining lightweight.
It's more expensive to make than cheap materials like bubble wrap. However, as a growing number of brands seek alternatives to plastic—due to waste concerns and reliance on fossil fuels—it is likely to find a market in eco-conscious industries.
With some governments beginning to ban unrecyclable packaging, such as Washington's ban on packing peanuts, the innovative design could appeal to brands looking for sustainable options, potentially becoming a trendy choice for products like cosmetics.
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