CHARLOTTE, N.C. (News release) -- Glatfelter Corporation, a leading global supplier of engineered materials, in cooperation with joint venture (JV) partner ALPLA Group, the global packaging solutions and recycling specialist, announces their partnership with Blue Ocean Closures (BOC), a startup based in the region of Värmland in Sweden, to develop innovative natural fiber-based closures and other molded packaging products using dryforming technology.

"This partnership brings together like-minded companies that share similar sustainability objectives and goals," said Chris Astley, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Glatfelter. "We are excited to partner with ALPLA and BOC to make more innovative and eco-friendly products that will have a lasting effect on our world."

As part of this sustainability partnership, Glatfelter and ALPLA are joining together to initially develop high-quality cellulose-based products, like screw caps, that are fully biobased and potentially ocean biodegradable. This unique collaboration will support BOC in its product development and shorten time to market even further.

"We are investing continuously in the research and use of alternative, bio-based packaging materials to complement our product portfolio," stated Christian Zmölnig, Director Corporate Research, Development and Innovation at ALPLA. "Now we are looking forward to bringing our expertise into the new cooperation with Glatfelter and BOC."

"We are pleased about the partnership with leading companies from the industry. In addition to a common vision for a sustainable future, they also bring enormous competencies in the field of production technology and materials science into our company", said Lars Sandberg, Chief Executive Officer of BOC.