FAQs

How did EnviroPAK get its start?
EnviroPAK was founded by a team of entrepreneurs, engineers and private investors who saw an opportunity to provide world class packaging solutions that is environmentally friendly compared to alternatives like expanded polystyrene and other plastic packaging materials. They recognized that there was a convergence of technology in product design, tool-making, and pulp molding machine design that made their vision feasible. Today, EnviroPAK serves a variety of prestigious clients with names you see everyday.

What is the manufacturing capacity of EnviroPAK?
With our highly automated production equipment, we are able to deliver consistent, high quality, durable, shock-resistant packaging on time and on budget, from 100,000 to 1,000,000+ parts per year. EnviroPAK presently has some of the fastest and most state-of-the-art molded paper pulp interior packaging machines in the United States.

For what applications has molded pulp been most frequently used?
Custom designed molded pulp packaging has become the packaging medium of choice in recent years for such items as electronics and computer peripherals. It is also being used for numerous small household appliances, telecommunications, medical, food service, consumer goods, CD/DVD, candle, music, automotive, furniture protection, bottled goods, and a variety of other applications. Generally, molded pulp is a cost-effective choice for medium to high volume packages weighing less than 15 pounds.

What kinds of designs are possible with molded pulp?
Most products are more complicated dimensionally than a simple cube. Molded pulp can be designed with deep cavities and fairly complex geometry, to protect your product's most fragile angles and protrusions. End caps, trays, and clamshell designs are excellent candidates for molded pulp.

What kinds of volumes are most suited for molded pulp?
Each project is evaluated on an individual basis. While EnviroPAK has customers with volumes ranging from the thousands of parts per week to those that use millions per week, molded pulp is best suited for moderate to high volume applications.

What kind of paper/fiber is used to produce molded pulp?
EnviroPAK's molded pulp currently is produced from 100% recycled newspapers and water.  We do not use additives or chemicals to our process, ensuring that our customers receive a truly eco-friendly package.

Is dust an issue with molded pulp packaging?
EnviroPAK's molded pulp packaging does not generate any more dust than other finished paper based packaging material, such as corrugated.

Can molded pulp packaging be used for cushioning applications?
Molded pulp exhibits superior performance in shipping tests, providing superior protection against the damaging effects of vibration and shock. Can you think of products more fragile than eggs and light bulbs? Molded pulp has protected them for over nearly half a century.

How does the protection of molded pulp compare to other packaging materials?
From a protective standpoint, molded pulp's inherent resilience enables it to outperform most vacuum-formed plastic and corrugated designs, as well as expanded polystyrene, especially when vibration is involved.

What are the weight bearing capabilities of molded pulp?
The load bearing capability of any material is a function of the surface area available for cushioning. EnviroPAK's carefully designed packaging has been able to protect products up to 15 pounds within a reasonably small surface area. Contact us with your specific application and let one of our engineers see what we can design for you.

Does EnviroPAK make its own tools?
Yes, in addition to our modern manufacturing facility we also maintain some of the best design and tool making capabilities in the industry. We have built a full scale tooling center that includes powerful CAD design software and advanced CNC milling equipment. With this in place, we are able to take packaging from concept to production as fast as anyone in the industry.

What are your normal tooling lead times?
Prototype tooling can be completed in 2-3 weeks upon customer approval of engineering drawings, while Production tooling is normally completed within 8 to 12 weeks after the customer's approval of the prototype.

What is the cost of molded pulp tooling?
The cost of molded pulp tooling depends on the number and size of the tools needed to accommodate customer volume and production requirements. Typical costs for prototype tooling is $2,000 - $3,000, and a normal one-up production tool cost is between $10,000 and $20,000, depending upon the complexity involved in the design.

What cost advantages should I expect to see using molded pulp?
Due to the nesting ability of molded pulp, a much larger quantity can be placed on a pallet than other materials, enabling you to ship larger quantities per truckload, thus reducing your landed cost vs. bulky foams and plastics. Additionally, due to massive amounts of product that can be placed on a truck, there is less ordering for your purchasing department, and subsequently fewer invoices for your accounting department. Labor savings opportunities exist due to the ease of assembly, when compared to die cut corrugate, for instance.

How does the cost of molded pulp compare to other packaging materials?
Because molded pulp is made from inexpensive, readily available, post-consumer newsprint, it compares favorably to other packaging materials that have higher raw material cost. For most applications, molded pulps cost of acquisition is less than expanded polystyrene, resilient foams, thermo and vacuum formed plastics and die cut corrugated. Molded pulp raw material pricing is more stable than petroleum based materials, such as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), thermo formed and vacuum formed plastics.

What information is needed to develop a price quotation?
A firm price quotation can generally be developed based on a preliminary concept, product size, and annual quantity estimates. Use our Request For Quotation Form (RFQ) to submit your project.