Planet Protector was founded in 2015 with the aim of becoming the market leader in eco-friendly thermal packaging. The company’s flagship product, Woolpack, is not only environmentally friendly but also commercially viable, making it a cost-effective option for businesses looking to make rapid progress in sustainability and management. One of the company’s largest customers is healthcare manufacturer Blackmores, which uses wool felt liners to transport its temperature-sensitive biopharmaceutical products.
Planet Protector uses non-textile grade coarse wool to produce Woolpack packaging. The fibre’s thermal insulation properties are superior to those of even polystyrene, making it ideal for maintaining a stable temperature of food, seafood and pharmaceuticals during transport.
Joanne Howarth, founder and CEO of Plant Protector, said: “From fresh fruit and vegetables to cook-off kits, ready meals to fine wines, pet food to chocolate, seafood to medicines, Woolpack has been proven to keep contents below 5°C for over 24 hours and between 2°C and 8°C for 72 hours or more.”
Woolpack has been independently tested and shown to outperform other cold chain packaging on the market. Additional benefits of wool include its elasticity and crimp, which provide impact resistance and cushioning for goods during transport. It also provides impact protection to the packaging.
Joan noted that while Woolpack’s performance was excellent, the product’s environmental credentials were a key driver for the company and a major differentiator from other types of refrigerated packaging such as polystyrene.
“Our mission is to eliminate polystyrene from the planet by providing cost-effective, sustainable and eco-friendly packaging made from wool, a natural, renewable fibre,” she said.
No harsh chemicals are used in the production of Woolpack. The wool only needs to be washed with soap and hot water. This means that Woolpack wool felt is 100% biodegradable and compostable, making it suitable for placing in your home’s green box or for burying in your backyard, returning valuable nutrients back to the soil.
“In addition, customers find many uses for Woolpack in the home, such as weed mats, pipe insulation, pet bedding, hanging baskets, truck lining… and much more.”
Western Sydney-based Planet Protector received $4.8 million in funding from the Australian Government through its Advanced Manufacturing Program in November 2021. The company will use the funding to open a $9.6 million advanced manufacturing, processing and research centre in Geelong, Victoria, adjacent to one of Australia’s largest wool cleaning plants. The centre is expected to begin operations in late 2022.
“This grant will enable us to produce sustainable and heat-resistant wool packaging in Australia. We will create jobs, support Australian wool producers and regional communities, while reducing our carbon footprint and increasing Australia’s capacity to produce other circular economy wool products.”
Less than a month after receiving the federal government grant, Planet Protector has been announced as the lead beneficiary of another grant from the NSW Government’s Research and Innovation Project. The company has received $250,000 in funding, supported by Invest NSW and the University of Wollongong.
In exciting months towards the end of 2021, Planet Packaging received the Banksia Foundation NSW Circular Transformation Award at the inaugural NSW Sustainability Awards, supported by the NSW Government, in recognition of the company’s achievements in developing products that will help transform the packaging industry from a linear to a circular model.