Metsä Board, a producer of lightweight folding boxboards and white kraftliners, has teamed up with Finnish confectionery company Kouvolan Lakritsi to introduce a new mug packaging for liquorice.  

Developed from fresh fibre paperboard, the new packaging is resealable, keeping the product fresh and addressing consumer concerns such as stickiness, which are experienced in traditional plastic sweet pouches. 

The packaging design team at Metsä Board crafted the new paperboard mug with a heat-sealed transparent plastic film.  

This feature ensures the liquorice remains fresh after the initial opening.

The collaboration has resulted in a durable and recyclable container that not only maintains the freshness of Kouvolan Lakritsi's liquorice but also stands out visually on retail shelves.  

This packaging solution is also claimed to reduce plastic usage. 

Kouvolan Lakritsi managing director Timo Nisula said: "We had long been thinking whether the sales package for liquorice could be something different than a plastic pouch. 

"The new mug can even be reused as a coffee cup that gives a slight flavour of liquorice in the coffee."  

Kouvolan Lakritsi has been producing its signature liquorice since 1960.  

The company’s new liquorice cup was manufactured by Kruunukartonki in Finland. 

Metsä Board packaging services director Ilkka Harju said: "Collaborating with our customers is vital in developing paperboard innovations that address their specific needs. 

"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." 

In April this year, Metsä Board invested roughly €60m ($64m) to modernise the folding boxboard machine at its Simpele mill in Finland.