Pyber

Pyber is a fibre-based packaging material developed by HUID using onion skins as its primary raw material. The material is intended as an alternative to conventional paper and plastic-based packaging, making use of an agricultural by-product that is widely available within food processing streams.

Onion skins are typically discarded as waste, despite their naturally fibrous and protective structure. Pyber utilises these fibres through a processing method based on food-grade reagents, resulting in a material that can be applied in both sheet and moulded fibre formats. The approach focuses on material reuse rather than the extraction of virgin resources.

Pyber Sheet is a card-like material made from onion skin fibres and designed for secondary packaging applications. It can be produced in different natural shades and weights, and may be dyed on request. The fibres can be blended with other materials such as flax, recycled wood pulp or cotton, allowing the properties of the final material to be adjusted for specific applications.

In addition to flat sheet production, Pyber can be moulded into three-dimensional packaging forms. This moulded fibre variant is suitable for protective packaging and can be combined with lightweight wood pulp or recycled pulp without significant loss of structural integrity. As with the sheet material, colour and composition can be adapted depending on production requirements.

Onion skins contain naturally occurring anti-microbial compounds, which are incorporated into Pyber’s material development. These properties may contribute to improved preservation in food-related packaging applications, although the material is still under development and not yet commercially available.

The development of Pyber forms part of HUID’s broader research into circular material systems. The project explores collaboration across the value chain, including sourcing, processing and end-of-life scenarios, with the aim of reducing waste and increasing material reuse. Pyber is currently available for small-scale trials and sample production as part of ongoing research and development.