Focus on innovation

Innovation is a core focus at Billerud, which constantly works to develop products and services that add value for customers. Successful business development drives growth and improves profitability, which in turn creates value for shareholders.

focus on innovation



Billerud works constantly to develop its offering in order to create added value for the customer. It is therefore crucial for Billerud to identify the changing needs and demands of customers and end-customers – both in financial and sustainability terms – in order to successfully develop the packaging solutions of tomorrow.

The aim of Billerud’s business development work is to drive growth and improve profitability. Tomorrow’s packaging solutions are created by constantly developing products and services with greater added value for customers as well as lower production costs. Alongside technical advances, innovation is just as much about developing new business models and services.

Billerud’s business model is based on a holistic view of the entire value chain for packaging. In order to stay at the cutting edge of business development, it is crucial for Billerud to identify the changing needs and demands of customers and end-customers – both in financial and sustainability terms. Innovation is the key if Billerud is to continue differentiating itself from its competitors.

KnowING the whole value chain

The strength of Billerud’s business development lies in combining resources from many different parts of the organisation. Specialists from different departments form segment teams with combined knowledge of the whole chain from paper production to endcustomer. The method of forming networks also helps to make the whole of Billerud customer-focused.

Product development also takes place in close collaboration with customers and suppliers, as well as stakeholders not usually associated with the forest industry, such as design agencies, brand owners and supermarket chains. Billerud also works with research institutes and universities.

Strong market position creates opportunities

Several of the markets and value chains where Billerud is active are fragmented, which offers opportunities for new approaches and total solutions. By using its strong position in some segments, Billerud can develop business opportunities and offer new, more comprehensive packaging solutions.

Successful business development – Billerud FibreForm®

Billerud FibreForm® has a unique elasticity that enables it to replace other packaging materials, not least fossil plastics, in various areas. Customers and end-customers have shown great interest in Billerud FibreForm®, which was launched in 2009 and whose applications have included food packaging. Read more on page 27 about why Marks & Spencer chose Billerud FibreForm®. Billerud FibreForm® has received several international awards as an innovative packaging material, including China’s most prestigious industry accolade, the Technology Innovation Award, and the Coup de Coeur award at Europe’s biggest packaging fair, Salon Emballage.

Laboratories add value

Billerud has several laboratories and development facilities that test performance of customer packaging, helping customers and end-customers to minimise packaging-related losses and increase the value of sales. The laboratories also develop the packaging solutions of tomorrow, with a focus on function, design and sustainability.


PACK LAB

supplies converters and brand owners with packaging knowledge and shows how the right design, construction and material choice improves the performance of different packaging solutions and carrier bags.

SACK LAB

helps customers and end-customers to optimise their processes through better paper choice and sack design. The laboratory tests and analyses sacks and provides suggestions for new and improved sack solutions.

BARRIER LAB

tests and analyses barrier properties in order to improve packaging barriers.

SEAL LAB

provides services which give manufacturers of medical items a better seal in packaging where paper is combined with plastic film.

BOX LAB

assesses the function and performance of corrugated board boxes, primarily for pack- aging fresh produce, on behalf of corrugated board producers and brand owners. Based on the results of these tests, the right material choice is made and the structural design improved to create a packaging solution that minimises wastage, cuts environmental impact and saves money.

NINE TPP

specialises in designing and developing packaging. With Nine TPP, Billerud has managed to bring expertise in material choice, packaging, design, brand exposure and logistics under one roof. Nine TPP is a joint venture owned by Billerud together with design agency No Picnic.

FRESH SERVICES

works to minimise packaging-related wastage along the delivery chain for fruit and vegetables by optimising the packaging. Fresh Services carries out quality measurements, using sensors and other means, to understand where in the delivery chain the contents inside the packaging are being damaged.

BILLERUD TENOVA

develops biodegradable plastics based on renewable raw materials, thus strengthening Billerud’s offering in renewable packaging materials. The combination of paper and bioplastic paves the way for new environmentally neutral packaging solutions.