Blue Ocean Closures has announced entering into a new partnership with Coca-Cola’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) research and development (R&D) facility in Brussels, Belgium.

Blue Ocean Closures is a Sweden-based sustainable startup with an aim to curb plastic usage in packaging closures across the globe.

To achieve this vision, Blue Ocean is introducing a fibre-based packaging screw cap to the market.

The Swedish startup confirmed that its fibre-based screw cap is biobased and recyclable, similar to paper in its properties.

Blue Ocean is further working to address the global plastic pollution crisis by making sure that its sustainable products meet up to five core concepts: being biobased, cost-effective, ocean-biodegradable, recyclable, and scalable.

Blue Ocean CEO Lars Sandberg said: “For us to succeed with this groundbreaking move, away from fossil-based plastics, it is extremely important to have global brands on board, with the ambition and ability to truly making a difference.

“We are thrilled to announce our explorative partnership with Coca-Cola’s EMEA R&D Center today, focusing on innovation to bring new and more sustainable products to use.”

The latest effort is in line with Coca-Cola’s goals to advance sustainable packaging, as well as minimise the use of non-renewable materials across its business, via its World Without Waste strategy.

Coca-Cola EMEA R&D Center packaging engineer Daphné Ronat said: “We are excited to be part of the pioneer community and to help test and develop this innovation during its continued development.

“It fits both our sustainability strategy and our ongoing exploratory work with future packaging technologies which may complement other, existing types of packaging in our packaging mix.”

Earlier this month, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company collaborated with British packaging and paper company Mondi to introduce Mondi's 'Hug-IT' sustainable sleeve packaging in Austria.