Finnish company Stora Enso has partnered with Norwegian flower chain Mester Grønn to develop a new plastic-free transportation tray for Mester's plants.

Referred to as PureFiber Horti, the new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances-free tray is made using formed fibre to help reduce the use of plastic materials in the flower industry.

The solution is claimed to minimise carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% when compared with conventional plastic alternatives.

Stora developed the plastic-free tray based on three main criteria provided by Mester, which currently has more than 143 flower shops across Norway.

The first criteria required Stora to ensure that the tray is capable of retaining its rigidity in both dry and humid conditions.

Mester's second criteria was to meet current industry standards to efficiently fit the current logistical chain.

The last requirement was to ensure that the new tray could withstand exposure to water.

To meet these requirements, Stora recommended the use of its PureFiber solution, which is a moulded fibre material used for manufacturing different shapes.

The flower retailer selected Stora’s PureFiber Horti tray solution after completing an extensive three-year-long prototype and testing process.

Mester CEO Erling J Ølstad said: “We need to become greener; we are representing a green industry so we can’t be playing against nature, we have to be on the same team.”

The work is in line with Mester's ambition to replace single-use plastic throughout the flower industry's supply chain, for instance, in the trays used for transporting plants from growers to flower shops.

Mester Marketing team member Mari Bøhm Telle added: “We are very happy about the results. It could make a difference for the whole flower industry in Europe, that’s what we are hoping!”