Plastics producer Borealis (Vienna / Austria; www.borealisgroup.com) has taken a minority stake in UK packaging group Bockatech (Wyton; www.bockatech.com) for an undisclosed sum.

Bockatech pioneered the “EcoCore” injection moulding process, which creates what it claims is sustainable plastic packaging featuring skin-foam-skin walls that are formed almost instantly and at cycle times up to 80% faster than other foamed products.

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The two companies have had a partnership arrangement in place since 2016 to develop foam injection moulding solutions for reusable and recyclable packaging. Borealis said its minority stake investment would lead to joint market and material development in the long term, and the scaling of the EcoCore platform.

“The aim is to enable a greater number of global customers, value chain partners, and supply chain players to benefit from a broader range of lighter weight foam-based applications, primarily in the packaging sector,” Borealis added.