Fiber packaging solutions
A wide range of custom-engineered fiber packaging solutions that drive efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and optimize supply chain costs. Ideal for global one-way shipments.
Fiber outer packaging solutions
Boxes, collars, pallets – engineered for strength
Fiber materials and capabilities
Multi-material innovation, engineering, and manufacturing
Sustainability in one-way flows
Conserving resources, and reducing CO₂ and landfill waste
Is fiber packaging right for you?
The advantages of fiber packaging
Lightweight. Biodegradable & easy to recycle globally. From renewable resources.
The key features of fiber packaging
Fiber packaging covers a wide range of materials, from well-established corrugated board to innovative solutions like FiberFlute™. They share a set of characteristics that make fiber a strong fit across many supply chains:
- Lightweight
- Biodegradable & easy to recycle globally
- From renewable resources
However, fiber materials can be less strong, less durable, and more sensitive to humidity than materials such as plywood, plastic, or steel. Some of these trade-offs can be mitigated through structural design, innovative fiber materials, and multi-material combinations.
When is fiber packaging the right choice?
We select materials based on total supply chain performance — weighing protection, sustainability, logistics efficiency, and cost. Fiber tends to be the right fit for:
- One-way long-distance shipping: Easily recycled anywhere in the world after delivery.
- Air freight: Lightweight structure and engineered strength help reduce freight costs.
- Uncontrollable supply chains and multiple distribution points: Easy recycling suits networks with limited return flows.
- Remote end-destination delivery: Recyclable and biodegradable fibers suit locations with limited waste handling.
Standard fiber has limitations in high-humidity environments, cleanrooms, and under extreme stacking loads, though Nefab's engineers can often make fiber work through innovative materials and engineered designs. For circular return flows, fiber is generally not suitable. In those cases, we recommend durable alternatives from our portfolio, including plastic, plywood, and wood.
> Explore Nefab's full packaging portfolio
Nefab's fiber packaging portfolio
Example of a fiber-based complete packaging solution
1 - Pallet; 2 - Inner packaging; 3 - Outer packaging
Complete packaging solutions tailored to your supply chain
From concept through production, we deliver complete packaging solutions and services to optimize supply chains and reduce customers' total cost of ownership and environmental impact.
Our custom-engineered fiber packaging range includes outer packaging boxes, inner packaging including cushioning, pallets, and accessories. We select and pair these components to design both mono-material, fully fiber-based solutions and multi-material solutions, ensuring the custom design matches your product, transport conditions, and performance requirements.
Fiber outer packaging
Nefab's custom corrugated outer packaging solutions are lightweight & recyclable, yet engineered for strength. They feature single, double, or triple wall corrugated and optional reinforced corners for added strength and moisture resistance—combining sustainability with strength and efficiency.
Corrugated Solutions
Corrugated cardboard solutions customized for every need.
NEW: EdgePak Collar™
Lightweight, fiber-based alternative to wooden pallet collars
Heavy-Duty corrugated packaging
Strong, customizable, and recyclable packaging designed for long-distance and export shipments.
Paper pallets & lids
Lightweight and recyclable pallets and lids made from paper-based materials like corrugated cardboard.
Fiber inner packaging & accessories
Our fiber inner packaging and accessories offer innovative alternatives to single-use plastic. Nefab’s engineered fiber inner packaging solutions protect your goods during transport and storage. We offer a wide range of fiber materials and custom designs for product protection, fitments, and shock absorption.
Paper-based inserts and interior fitments
Custom inserts and inner fittings for product securement
Molded pulp trays & end caps
Cost-effective, sustainable fiber packaging ideal for transit component separation and nested equipment protection.
Fiber accessories
Fiber-based bags, stretch film, straps, zip ties, and more
Our fiber packaging capabilities
Fiber packaging innovation and engineering
Fiber packaging is an area where Nefab constantly innovates to find more sustainable, resource-efficient solutions for one-way flows. Combining our in-house R&D with university and customer partnerships, we develop renewable, easy-to-recycle materials that meet emerging sustainability needs without sacrificing the reliable protection required to secure your products.
Apart from uncovering and developing new materials, our global network of 250+ engineers continuously strive to develop new ways of combining fiber materials in engineered packaging designs, optimizing your supply chain efficiency.
Our materials and manufacturing capabilities
Nefab combines global in-house manufacturing capabilities across the EMEA, the Americas, and APAC regions with a flexible supply network to deliver our entire fiber portfolio with consistent quality and reliable lead times. From converting materials to kitting finished packaging components, we control key production stages to ensure repeatable results. Our extensive global footprint and production versatility allow us to rapidly adapt to changing customer requirements while keeping your international supply chains running smoothly.
Corrugated cardboard
A widely available packaging material constructed from layers of fluted and straight papers. This structure provides high bending resistance and excellent top-to-bottom stacking strength. Various paper combinations and designs can be selected to optimize for specific needs.
Heavy-Duty corrugated cardboard
Made from high-quality double- and triple-wall corrugated board with exceptionally high Edge Crush Test (ECT) values. This robust material features options for moisture resistance by utilizing wet-strength kraft liners and water-resistant adhesives.
FiberFlute™
An innovative, wave-shaped cushioning solution that is made entirely from paper but is thicker than standard paper. Its geometric compressibility provides outstanding shock absorption and multi-drop impact protection, and it can be cut, folded, or layered to optimize cushioning performance.
Strawboard
A dense, rigid board manufactured by compressing agricultural straw residue into hard-pressed panels. Its dense, fibrous composition is highly moisture-resistant and inherently rigid, which we utilize as foldable corner profiles to support extreme stacking loads.
Molded pulp
A molded fiber material created by blending recycled paper fibers into a water slurry, vacuum-forming it over custom wire-mesh molds, and heat-curing the result. This process yields contoured, three-dimensional shapes that form space-saving, nested trays and protective end-caps.
Recent award wins
WorldStar 2026: FiberFlute’s Success in Replacing PE Foam
Nefab has received the Innovative Spirit Award from Cytiva
Nefab and Signify Win China GPA Innovation & Sustainability Award
Nefab and Nokia Advance Sustainable Packaging with FiberFlute
Nefab Wins Three WorldStar 2025 Awards for Sustainable Packaging Innovations
Sustainability in one-way flows
The PPWR advantage of fiber
The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces stricter sustainability and waste-reduction rules, including higher standards for fiber-based packaging. However, paper-fiber is recognized as having one of the most mature recycling systems, so it is expected to remain exempt from mandatory reuse targets for B2B packaging. Nefab offers expert guidance and tailored solutions to ensure your business stays fully compliant with these evolving global regulations.
Key sustainability benefits of fiber packaging
When long-distance international shipping or fragmented distribution networks make return loops environmentally unfavorable, one-way packaging must be designed to minimize its environmental footprint from the start. Our engineered fiber solutions can replace single-use plastics or heavy crates with renewable, lightweight materials that protect your product in transit, then integrate easily into local recycling streams at their final destination.
1 According to data collected by the EBB (European Environmental Bureau) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and Simapro
Responsible material choices from renewable resources
Our fiber solutions conserve mineral, fossil, and finite resources by utilizing certified forest-based fibers (FSC®, PEFC™, SFI®). Because paper fibers can be recycled and reused up to seven times, our designs actively extend material life and reduce the global demand for virgin raw materials.
Reduced CO₂-eq emissions through design optimization
Made from low-carbon fibers, our packaging offers a high strength-to-weight ratio for secure, efficient stacking at a low weight. Combined with space-efficient engineering, this maximizes transport utilization and drives down CO₂-eq emissions across the supply chain—a benefit that is particularly powerful in air freight and long-distance international shipping.
Reduced landfill waste through global recycling and biodegradability
With a global paper and cardboard recycling rate of 71%¹, our fiber solutions keep valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills by integrating into standard local recycling streams anywhere in the world. Additionally, fiber packaging is biodegradable, naturally breaking down over time if fibers end up in nature.
Fiber packaging FAQ
Does Nefab provide completely plastic-free (mono-material) fiber packaging, or is it always combined with other materials?
Does Nefab provide completely plastic-free (mono-material) fiber packaging, or is it always combined with other materials?
Nefab offers both fully fiber-based solutions and multi-material packaging concepts, depending on the application requirements. We can engineer fiber-based packaging that is recyclable in the paper stream and designed for easy end-of-life handling. When additional performance is needed, fiber can also be combined with materials such as wood, plywood, or plastic to meet specific requirements.
What is the difference between virgin and recycled fibers in industrial packaging?
What is the difference between virgin and recycled fibers in industrial packaging?
Virgin (fresh) fibers are stronger than recycled fibers, and the strength gap widens at higher humidity. Each fits a different supply chain.
- Virgin fibers: Best for demanding supply chains, including changing climate (humidity and temperature), long transport durations, and heavy products.
- Recycled fibers: Best for less demanding supply chains, with the advantage of lower cost.
Can fiber-based packaging handle heavy-duty industrial components?
Can fiber-based packaging handle heavy-duty industrial components?
Yes. Fiber packaging can be engineered to protect heavy industrial components. Structural features such as multi-wall corrugated constructions, strawboard reinforced corners, and integrated load-bearing elements add strength. If the required stacking strength is not achieved, Nefab will suggest a better suited solution from another material. Nefab's fiber solutions support automotive, telecom, and electronics applications, including certified dangerous goods packaging where required.
How does Nefab verify the environmental impact of switching to fiber?
How does Nefab verify the environmental impact of switching to fiber?
Nefab uses GreenCalc, our life-cycle assessment (LCA) tool. It compares your current packaging against a proposed fiber alternative using data-driven analysis. The assessment quantifies potential reductions in CO2 emissions, total cost, and landfill waste, so you can decide based on measurable results rather than assumptions.
How does Nefab validate that fiber packaging performs in real-world transit?
How does Nefab validate that fiber packaging performs in real-world transit?
Fiber packaging designs are tested in Nefab's in-house laboratories before deployment. Prototypes undergo drop, vibration, compression, and environmental conditioning tests based on specific transport and handling conditions to ensure they provide the required protection. Nefab operates six ISTA-certified labs worldwide to help customers optimize protection, minimize damages, and reduce costs through rigorous testing.
Fiber packaging as part of a complete packaging and logistics solution
Nefab delivers complete packaging and logistics solutions. By combining expertly engineered packaging with tailored logistics services and advanced digital tools, we ensure your products are protected, handled efficiently, and tracked transparently throughout the supply chain. This holistic approach reduces total costs and environmental impact while enhancing supply chain reliability.
Complete packaging solutions
Logistics services
