The FibreStrap Q&A
We're glad to see you here at the FibreStrap Q&A. It's always great to have curious minds around. Kindly take a look at the answers provided below to see if your question has already been addressed. If not, feel free to send your question to us at team@fibrestrap.com
Q&A: Product
What is FibreStrap?
FibreStrap is a sustainable cable tie made primarily from wood fibres. We aim to replace single-use fossil-based plastic cable ties.
What lengths are available?
Lengths are available from 200-600mm.
How long is the shelf life of FibreStrap?
The shelf life is >2 years, 23°, 50RH.
Can FibreStrap handle the weight of heavier products?
Yes, it can. FibreStrap guarantees 12 kg (26.5 lbs.)
Read more from our strength test!
Can the FibreStrap endure heat?
FibreStrap is not flame retardant. For heat endurance, please see the below answer on recommended working temperatures.
Can the FibreStrap endure high and low temperatures?
Yes, from -30°C(-22°f)/110N to 50°C(122°f)/80N Above 57°C ( 134.6°f)we can notice a slight deformation on the biocomposite, but FibreStrap is still doing its job.
Can the FibreStrap endure water?
In tests of outdoor use with rain and winds, FibreStrap is doing its job! We cannot guarantee it will during extreme weather conditions, as for all other attachment products.
Is FibreStrap suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, FibreStrap passed and was approved according to the type 2 test. This is equal to 1,000 hours of UV light, and cyclic water spray simulating outdoor attachment of 1 year.
Can I cut through a FibreStrap with scissors? Are they easy to remove?
Yes, FibreStrap is easy to remove with scissors, pliers or other sharp objects.
Can I use the same tool to stretch and cut as I use for plastic cable ties?
We don’t recommend it. These tools are cutting the cord too shortly since they are made to shorten the sharp edges of a cut plastic nylon cable tie. FibreStrap has a soft cord, and we recommend that 5 mm is left after cutting.
Q&A: Material
What is the FibreStrap cord made from?
The cord is made from 99.9% kraft paper from Nordic wood fibres. To prevent abrasion, the cord is treated with a negligible amount of polyethene wax (0.1%).
Where is FibreStrap produced?
FibreStrap is designed, invented, engineered, and manufactured in Sweden.
Which bio-composite is the lock made from?
Today the bio-composite contains 50% thermoplastic aliphatic polyester, more commonly named Polylactic acid (PLA), 20 % hemp and 30% Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT). PLA is 100% bio-based and made from sugar cane residues (by-products) that are non-food conflict.
Is the material in the FibreStrap cord responsibly produced?
The paper is certified and follows certification standards of forestry and traceability. FibreStrap contains no substances that are classified as being hazardous to human health or the environment, as specified in the respective safety data sheets (SDS) of all components and according to Regulation (EU) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures.
Is the material in the FibreStrap lock responsibly produced?
The PLA is 100% bio-based and made from hemp and sugar cane residues. The sugar canes meet the Bonsucro Code of Conduct, are grown in Thailand and do not compete with land used for food production.The bio-composite material fulfils the requirements of the European harmonised standard EN 13432:2000.The hemp is produced in the EU and certified according to International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). PBAT is a polyester that is commonly used for e.g., compostable plastic bags and food packaging. PBAT is biodegraded through hydrolysis and by biological activity in soil and compost environments.
Is FibreStrap patented?
Yes, FibreStrap is a patented solution.
Q&A: Recycling / Waste
Can Fibrestrap be re-used?
Yes, FibreStrap is intended to be re-used and should when possible be re-used several times by cutting the cord as close as possible behind the locking head. In fact; let us know how you re-use your FibreStrap by dropping us a photo at team@fibrestrap.com
Can Fibrestrap be recycled?
Yes, FibreStrap is intended to be re-used when possible and eventually recycled! (Different rules for recycling apply in different countries)
When used as a packaging material, how should FibreStrap be calculated and reported to extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes?
FibreStrap should be regarded as paper packaging according to the European Commission. Here is why: In most cases where FibreStrap is intended to be used, the main packaging material is paper. Since the composite material (the lock) is very light, the 95/5 rule outlined below will be applied in all packaging solutions where the total amount of paper material exceeds ≥8.4 grams. All components of the packaging will therefore be regarded as paper packaging and it should be counted as the main material. FibreStrap is a composite packaging according to the criteria in the proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste. In this proposal, the European Commission includes the following information on how to calculate and report composite materials: “Article 47(4); Composite packaging and other packaging composed of more than one material shall be calculated and reported per material contained in the packaging. Member States may derogate from this requirement where a given material constitutes an insignificant part of the packaging unit, and in no case more than 5 % of the total mass of the packaging unit”.
What is the proper waste sorting for a FibreStrap?
A packaging consisting of two materials that cannot be easily separated by the consumer and sorted separately, i.e., a composite material should be recycled according to the "dominating material “. For example, if a packaging in Sweden contains paper and plastic it should contain more than 50% paper to be the dominating material and sorted as paper. Since the major material in FibreStrap is paper, this also means that it should be sorted and recycled as such. However, to guarantee successful recycling, it is advisable to cut the cord from the lock and sort the cord as paper and the lock as combustible waste (biofuel energy recovery) or industrial composting (awaiting certification).
Is the FibreStrap lock biodegradable?
The PLA used in the FibreStrap lock is biodegradable, although only under certain environmental conditions such as in an industrial compost. If industrial compost is available (US) - this is an alternative. There are currently no industrial compost systems available in Sweden or northern Europe that can handle biodegradable packaging materials. Therefore, in Europe, polymers from renewable sources, for instance, PLA will end up in energy recovery through incineration and thus become a biofuel. If FibreStrap ended up in a landfill, it would biodegrade in a reasonable time.
What happens if FibreStrap ends up in nature?
No products should end up in nature! Cord: If ending up in the ocean, the cord will degrade in 8-12 weeks, and will be far less likely to damage wildlife than nylon-based cable ties have the potential to do. However, once a FibreStrap has reached its end of life it should be recycled. Biocomposite: The biocomposite material in the lock conforms with the European Standard EN 13432:2000 which addresses compostability and anaerobic treatability. It covers controlled waste treatment plants and not packaging waste that may end up in the environment. A plastic can be called biodegradable even though it does not degrade completely. According to EN13432 a fraction of less than 2mm is allowed. The lock will be degraded under certain conditions, and it will not contribute to any spread of hazardous chemicals, such as plasticisers or pigments.
Does FibreStrap contribute to the occurrence of microplastics?
Products that are certified as biologically degradable are intended to be treated in industrial biological processes. Therefore, bio-based plastics should not be discarded into nature as incomplete degradation may lead to the spreading of microplastics. There is currently no standardised definition of microplastics but within a proposal for restricting intentionally added microplastics by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the following definition of microplastics was developed: “’ Micro plastic’ means a material consisting of solid polymer-containing particles, to which additives or other substances may have been added, and where ≥ 1% w/w of particles have (i) all dimensions 1nm ≤ x ≤ 5mm, or (ii), for fibres, a length of 3nm ≤ x ≤ 15mm and length to diameter ratio of >3. Polymers that occur in nature that have not been chemically modified (other than by hydrolysis) are excluded, as are polymers that are (bio)degradable.”
Is FibreStrap compliant with the REACH and RoHS?
Yes, the suppliers of the respective materials have fulfilled their registration obligations under Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Furthermore, FibreStrap does not contain any SVHC substances listed in the Candidate List of substances of very high concern for Authorisation and does not contain substances that are restricted for use following the conditions laid down in Annex XVII of REACH. FibreStrap does not contain any of the substances listed as restricted in Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) including the substances added by the amendment 2015/863/EU in amount exceeding the concentration limits specified therein.
Are there any concerns with the metal piece in the lock and how it effects product sustainability?
The metal piece is needed to achieve a strong permanent lock, which is crucial for anti-theft- and tamper-evident properties. Nordic recycling companies see no concerns since the total mass of the metal piece is neglectable.
Q&A: Ordering
What are the technical parameters of FibreStraps?
We are happy to send you a technical data sheet. Please drop us a mail at team@fibrestrap.com
How do I order FibreStraps?
Until the machine is up and running in November 2023, we can produce batches for piloting. We recommend signing a Letter of Intent for the allocation of production batches produced from November. Please send an email to team@fibrestrap.com
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum quantity, MOQ, is 1 Euro pallet. Depending on the lengths ordered – estimated about 50 000 -100 000 pcs of FibreStraps. However, we would love to support your needs, and lower volumes are available upon request.
How much does FibreStrap cost?
Please let us know annual volumes, lengths, and county of shipment destination and we will get back to you!
Do you have samples of FibreStrap for review?
Yes! We can send you a few samples for review. We would love to hear your feedback after the review! Please send us a request at team@fibrestrap.com
How do I purchase a trial batch?
If you have reviewed FibreStrap samples, and wish to run a bigger-scale trial those are available for purchase. Please reach out to team@fibrestrap.com
Can I share pictures of FibreStrap in Social Media?
Yes. We are happy and proud to have supporters! Please contact us at team@fibrestrap.com before publishing any material so we can approve it.
Where does FibreStrap ship to?
During our launch, we are focusing on ex-works deliveries in Europe and US.
Ask us a question!
Thank you for showing interest in FibreStrap. If you can't find the answer to your question above, you are welcome to drop us a line. We will do our best to satisfy your curiosity.