Sustainable Packaging Insights with the Founder of Tomeco Pulp Systems
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Aktualisiert:
10.09.2025
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Introduction
Sustainability is transforming the global packaging landscape, with molded fiber packaging emerging as one of the most innovative and eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and EPS foam. At the forefront of this change is Tomeco Pulp Systems ("Tomeco"), a Relyon company specializing in designing and manufacturing high-quality molded fiber packaging solutions for diverse industries.
In this interview, Tomeco’s founder, Bartosz Tomczyk, shares his entrepreneurial journey, discusses the rapid growth of molded fiber, and offers his vision for the future of sustainable packaging.
What inspired you to start Tomeco Pulp Systems?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and I’ve always been aware that we can make an impact on the world around us. When I realized how massive the use of plastics has become, I wanted to do something productive that combined business with environmental protection. I became passionate about creating practical, sustainable solutions to replace single-use plastics. Packaging is a major contributor to global waste, and I saw molded fiber as an opportunity to make a real difference while still meeting the functional and cost needs of businesses.
What have been key milestones since the start of Tomeco in 2015?
The first big milestone was establishing strategic partnerships with two corporate customers in 2020. That was the moment when we could truly apply all the technical knowledge and experience we had gained in the previous years. We developed and brought into mass production fully ecological and perfectly functional pulp packaging, providing strong and compact support for our customers.
In 2022, we launched our second, independent production plant, which allowed us to double our capacity. This milestone transformed us into one of the leading European pulp packaging manufacturers, supporting customers across the continent with large-scale supplies.
I would also like to mention two very challenging periods that shaped us as an organization: the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis of 2022. We are proud of how effectively we handled those situations. These difficult times made us more reliable, more resilient, and leaner. They were decisive moments — and I truly believe that hard times build great companies.
How did Tomeco develop its expertise in molded fiber production?
We invested early in understanding both the science behind fiber molding and the needs of our target industries. By combining technical know-how with a strong focus on customer collaboration, we’ve developed molded fiber packaging solutions that are efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible.
What makes molded fiber packaging unique compared to other sustainable materials?
Molded fiber packaging stands out for its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and full recyclability. It provides excellent product protection while being lightweight and customizable to specific requirements. Unlike many alternatives, molded fiber combines sustainability with practicality—it’s not just an eco-friendly option but a proven, high-performing solution that integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains.
We’ve helped numerous customers replace EPS and plastic packaging with molded fiber solutions. This transition has significantly reduced their environmental footprint—cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 60%—while improving logistics efficiency and strengthening their sustainability credentials.
Tomeco recently became part of Relyon. What are your expectations for this partnership moving forward?
Joining Relyon opens up exciting opportunities for us. With access to Relyon’s network, we can reach more customers and help more businesses transition away from plastics. We also expect to benefit from shared expertise, resources, and innovation capabilities, enabling us to scale faster, expand geographically, and develop sustainable packaging solutions in close collaboration with our partners.
How important are partnerships with customers in creating effective solutions?
They are absolutely crucial. Every customer has unique needs, and we believe the best results come from working closely together—from design to final production. A flexible approach and strong collaboration with both suppliers and customers mean we can co-create sustainable, tailored packaging solutions that are truly fit for purpose and cost-effective.
What is your approach to innovation?
Our approach starts with understanding our customers’ challenges—often replacing plastic or EPS packaging with a more sustainable, fiber-based alternative. We go beyond simply substituting materials; our goal is to create packaging solutions that add real value to our customers’ products and processes.
From the initial concept and prototyping phase to full-scale production, our process is flexible, and tailored to each project. By working closely with our customers, we ensure that every eco-friendly packaging design meets functional, aesthetic, and environmental requirements. This collaborative, problem-solving mindset allows us to deliver high-quality, innovative packaging that supports both business and sustainability goals.
What are your long-term ambitions?
We want to scale our production capacity, introduce new product lines, and expand into new markets across Europe and beyond. Most importantly, we aim to help as many businesses as possible replace single-use plastic packaging with molded fiber solutions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
How do you see the future of sustainable packaging evolving?
Sustainable packaging is the future — plastic is the past. That’s the reality.
Paper pulp packaging is the most natural packaging material on the market. Today it is widely used for small household appliances, glass products, and light industrial goods. Looking ahead, we believe it is time to implement pulp packaging more broadly in large household appliances, automotive, and heavy industrial products.
We also see opportunities in production improvements within the paper packaging industry — especially by increasing the use of renewable energy and by refining processes so that the cellulose fibres remain strong and recyclable for many cycles. At Tomeco, we have designed our production to preserve fibre quality and extend its lifecycle, which both reduces costs and enhances recyclability.
At the same time, government regulations are becoming more supportive of sustainable packaging, which will continue to drive demand for paper-based solutions.
We are optimistic about the growth of our industry in the coming years and decades — and Tomeco will be ready to meet both customer needs and market expectations.
