Biodegradable vegetal fibre material for sustainable closure caps
Feltwood offers a 100% plant-based, biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable fibrous material derived from agricultural and agrifood outflows. Designed for moulded closure caps, it provides rigidity and dimensional precision suitable for threaded applications without adhesives, plastics, or binders, serving as a sustainable alternative to conventional cap materials.
Overview
Feltwood has developed a novel fibrous material manufactured entirely from fruit and vegetable outflows sourced from agriculture and agrifood industries. The material requires no adhesives, plastics, or binders, making it a fully vegetal, biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable alternative for closure cap manufacturing. It is significantly more rigid than cardboard while offering mouldability comparable to cellulose, enabling the production of caps with integrated threads and counter-threads. Mass or surface additives can be incorporated to enhance liquid resistance, expanding its suitability for a range of closure applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- 100% vegetal fibres with no chemical binders, adhesives, or plastic additives
- Fully biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable, supporting circular economy objectives
- Rigidity exceeding that of standard cardboard, enabling structural applications
- Mouldable like cellulose, allowing production of threaded and counter-threaded closure caps
- Compatible with mass and surface additives for improved liquid resistance
- Produced from renewable agricultural and agrifood outflows, valorising waste streams
Technology readiness level
The material has been developed and characterised internally at Feltwood's pilot plant and externally by technology centres and customer R&D departments. Mechanical properties have been validated, including sufficient rigidity and dimensional definition to produce thread and counter-thread geometries in laboratory testing. Biodegradability certification is nearing completion. The company is now seeking collaborative partners to advance prototype mould development, user testing, and full production validation for specific closure cap applications.
About Feltwood Ecomateriales, S.L.
Feltwood Ecomateriales, S.L. is a Spanish technology company founded in 2016 that develops innovative processes to manufacture industrial materials from agricultural waste. Its patented technology converts vegetal fibers into sustainable, 100% plant-based products without the use of chemicals, adhesives, or binders. The resulting material is designed to be a durable, biodegradable, and compostable alternative to plastics, wood, and other conventional materials. Key offerings include various material types such as Feltwood Hard, which provides high strength and mouldability for applications like furniture, toys, packaging, and disposable tableware. By valorizing agricultural by-products that would otherwise be discarded, the company contributes to a circular economy while aiming to reduce the environmental impact of industrial manufacturing.
The company focuses on providing a cost-competitive and environmentally responsible solution for businesses looking to adopt sustainable alternatives to plastic and wood-based panels. Feltwood’s technology is engineered to meet technical performance standards while supporting environmental goals, attracting investment from organizations such as EIT Food and corporations like Viscofan. With its headquarters in Zaragoza, Spain, the startup has scaled its operations to target major European markets, including Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and Italy, by offering tailored solutions to manufacturers across sectors such as home goods, transport, and construction. The company continues to advance its production capabilities and expand its commercial footprint through strategic partnerships and international patent protection.
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