Art-Pak: sustainable packaging for your timber

Art-Pak is the only Finnish supplier of timber hoods produced locally. Our factory is at the forefront of sustainability, which greatly adds to our customers’ appreciation of us. Our timber hoods and films are made from recycled raw materials as much as possible, and contain a high proportion of recycled materials. Account Manager Tom Vikman explains:

—Instead of burning used hoods and film, which was once the norm, we now collect used products as much as possible. In countries with recycling systems, used products are collected, sorted, and turned into new raw materials. Hoods are made from a single raw material – polythene, making them easy to recycle.

Close co-operation with customers

The plastic film is manufactured and supplied by Rani, the parent company, in Terjärv. Art-Pak processes it into finished products of various sizes.

– For us, the quality of the film is crucial. The biggest challenge with recycled film lies in achieving consistent quality, says Factory Manager Christer Karlsson.

Around 80% of the hood material is recycled – reducing the carbon footprint by 30%.

Art-Pak uses around 5.5 million kilograms of recycled plastic annually. The hoods’ colourants, UV protection, and friction surfaces are made from virgin material; the rest is made from recycled content. Our commitment to sustainable products is long-term, and we have chosen to be transparent about our manufacturing, providing detailed recycling figures.

Product development is advancing constantly. In the past, half of the hood material was recycled. Today the figure is around 80 per cent – a carbon footprint reduction of 30 per cent.

Demand for timber films made from recycled material is increasing as the requirements for the use of recycled materials become stricter.

Tom Vikman, Account Manager at Art-Pak

Another aspect that is constantly evolving is material thickness. Our work with Versowood, one of our customers, is a case in point. Thanks to joint efforts, their film is now 10 percent thinner, using less plastic, offering easier handling, and reducing the carbon footprint—with no reduction in durability.

Expansion phase

Art-Pak employs around 20 people. About half of its production is sold in Finland, while the rest is exported primarily to Sweden and the Baltic States. The main customers are sawmills, and companies that process sawn timber.

The factory has four hood lines and three timber wrapping lines. At the end of 2024 two winders will be replaced with a new, more efficient line. Tom Vikman says there is a need for more capacity.

—The requirement to use recycled materials in timber films is continuously tightening, which will increase the demand for products made from recycled materials.

Read more at Art-Paks website.