Following initial projects with cup plant paper in the Schwarz Group in 2022, this sustainable packaging material has now established itself on the market. Although cup plant has so far only been used for organic fruit and vegetables, the manufacturer OutNature GmbH has already received initial inquiries for conventional products. "Stone and top fruit, as well as citrus fruits, are particularly promising product groups, as some of the packaging used is made from conventional fiber products. These can be replaced relatively easily on the manufacturers' machines. This means that cup plant can be used to generate success in the field of sustainable packaging relatively quickly," reports the sales department of OutNature GmbH on request.
Thomas Strieder (left) and Marcel Petrick were among those representing OutNature GmbH at this year's Biofach in Nuremberg.
Good price-performance ratio
One of the factors that has hindered progress at times is the complicated procurement of raw materials. "Although the current raw materials market is no longer as tight as in previous years, the market is subject to a certain degree of volatility, which does not make the work of players in this segment any easier. Basically, our mix of materials enables us to create a more stable raw material situation and compensate for highs and lows in the market, but enormous fluctuations, especially in the area of waste and recycled paper, inevitably also have an impact on our purchasing and pricing policy. Through forward-looking action and a sustainable procurement policy, we try to compensate for or regulate major price fluctuations through scale effects and multiple sourcing strategies."
Meanwhile, competition in the field of sustainable packaging solutions for food and non-food products is intense and diverse, the Neckarsulm-based fiber expert continues. Many companies and research institutions are currently working on developing innovative and environmentally friendly packaging that meets the requirements of modern consumers. "In terms of price-performance, our cup plant papers perform well against the competition. It offers high quality at fair prices and is already being used successfully in various applications. Cup plant paper currently consists of 35 percent fibers from cup plant, a plant that grows back quickly and is environmentally friendly," says the company, describing the added value of the sophisticated packaging solution.
Previous applications in the fruit and vegetable sector. Clockwise: organic blueberries, organic Cameo apples for Kaufland, organic cherry vine tomatoes for Lidl Austria, and Bioland apples for Lidl Germany.
According to the manufacturer, cup plant paper is robust and extremely stable, which in turn helps to protect the products being packaged. "The production of cup plant paper is also resource-efficient and requires less energy compared to conventional paper. In addition, no chemicals are used in the fiber extraction process. The cultivation of the cup plant also promotes soil biodiversity and contributes to the preservation of existing ecosystems. Another important factor is that cup plant paper can be produced regionally, which shortens transport routes and reduces the CO₂ footprint accordingly."
Reuse and refilling of packaging
The future looks particularly bright for fruit and vegetables. "Cup plant packaging has already successfully established itself on the market and is used by companies such as Kaufland and Lidl for fruit and vegetables," they emphasize. The PPWR Packaging Ordinance is also expected to further promote the use of cup plant papers. "According to the ordinance, packaging must contain a certain percentage of recycled material, and the material used should be reduced to the minimum necessary. In addition, companies must implement systems for reusing and refilling packaging. Cup plant papers already meet many of these requirements by being produced in a resource-efficient manner and having a good carbon footprint. We therefore expect the PPWR regulation to further promote the use of cup plant papers and strengthen their importance in the packaging market."
For more information:
Marcel Petrick
OutNature GmbH
Stiftsbergstraße 1
D-74172 Neckarsulm
Phone +49 (0) 7132 94 773761
[email protected]
www.out-nature.de