A shared path towards a more sustainable arena

In 2018, during a visit to Löfbergs Arena in Karlstad, right at the heart of Värmland’s hockey passion, we noticed something that had little to do with the game on the ice. What caught our attention was the large amount of plastic being used across the arena’s restaurants and kiosks.

At UMV Coating Systems, we work with barrier coating – a technology that makes paper resistant to liquids and grease without the need for plastic. That day, a question began to form: could we replace the burger wraps in the arena with a sustainable, Värmland-made paper alternative?

A collaboration takes shape

What started as an idea soon grew into a collaboration. Together with Färjestad BK and Nordic Paper, we began to explore what a regional, more sustainable solution could look like. UMV’s barrier technology could transform the paper, Nordic Paper could produce the base material locally in Värmland, and Löfbergs Arena could become a place where hockey and sustainability meet in practice.

One ton less plastic

By 2019, the first steps were taken. Plastic-coated wraps were gradually replaced by the new paper solution. By 2022, the results were clear: one ton of plastic had been removed from the arena. Yet we also knew this was not the end. The material could be improved, the solution made even more environmentally friendly, and the impact broadened.

New season – same commitment

Now in 2025, we’re ready for another season with a new print and same strong barrier properties – all produced and developed in Värmland.

The next time you enjoy a burger or at Löfbergs Arena, the paper in your hand is more than just packaging. It is the outcome of innovation, collaboration and the determination to make a difference. It is also proof of what we in Värmland can achieve when we work together – one piece of paper at a time.