Finnish company Golf Coat Oy is launching a new golf ball packaging that, when empty, takes on a second life as an insect hotel.

When empty the packaging can be placed in an appropriate place to provide shelter for bugs and larvae thanks to separate parts made of paperboard included in the cover. The packaging was manufactured by PackageMedia Oy, part of Pyroll Packaging, using MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright folding boxboard.

The innovative packaging is a result of a co-creation workshop organised by Metsä Board. The workshops are part of Metsä Board’s 360 Services that cover the whole packaging value chain by utilising the cardboard manufacturer’s Excellence Centre in Äänekoski, Finland. The design of the golf ball packaging was a collaboration involving a packaging design agency, Metsä Board’s own packaging design team and technical service, and the packaging manufacturer.

The packaging is an excellent example of how teamwork can create something totally new. In 2021 we organised 36 virtual workshops with our customers and partners. The process concentrated on improving the current package whilst creating something completely new, like this insect hotel,” says Gunilla Nykopp, Customer Experience Manager from Metsä Board’s packaging design team.