Metsä Board, a European producer of premium fresh fiber paperboards, has partnered with Finnish confectionery maker Kouvolan Lakritsi to create a new, resealable licorice cup package made of fresh fiber paperboard. Kouvolan Lakritsi, a Finnish brand established in 1906, has produced its licorice with the same recipe since 1960.
Inspired by paperboard cups, Metsä Board’s packaging design team developed this innovation with a heat-sealed transparent plastic film. Once opened, the reclosable paperboard cover serves to preserve the candy.
The result is a durable, recyclable container that keeps Kouvolan Lakritsi’s famous licorice fresh while making a strong visual impression on store shelves. The new packaging also addresses common consumer complaints about traditional plastic pouches (easy tearing and stickiness, for example) while reducing the use of plastic.
“We had long been thinking about an alternative to the plastic pouch for licorice packaging,” says Timo Nisula, Managing Director at Kouvolan Lakritsi.
“Collaborating with our customers is vital in developing paperboard innovations that address their specific needs,” says Ilkka Harju, Packaging Services Director at Metsä Board. “By working closely with Kouvolan Lakritsi, we designed a new paperboard solution that aligns with the company’s renowned brand and offers a functional, innovative design.” For more information, visit metsagroup.com/metsaboard.
