Constantia Flexibles presents: sustainable packaging made from grass
The international expert in flexible packaging, Constantia Flexibles, is currently testing an entirely fresh approach to sustainable food packaging. Paper made from the renewable resource grass is manufactured without bleach or other chemical treatments and with very limited water consumption. The packaging replaces plastic and can be recycled in the same way as all other conventional recyclable paper products.
“We are constantly working on developing environmentally friendly packaging. With grass, we are making use of a resource that is both renewable and recyclable,” explains Stefan Grote, Executive Vice President of the Food Division of Constantia Flexibles. Our testing shows that this innovative product can be utilized in the food industry, a demanding market segment, in particular as packaging in a number of different ways for chocolate.”
Grass paper is composed of 40% sun-dried grass and 60% FSC-certified cellulose, which means it is made 100% from renewable, recyclable, and naturally-grown raw materials. Constantia Flexibles converts natural grass paper into a packaging material by adding a barrier that meets specific packaging requirements, such as aroma tightness. Here too, the focus is on maintaining the material’s natural character.
This material speaks to contemporary needs in a number of ways and consciously distinguishes itself from other types of packaging materials, “First, there is the visual and haptic experience, which provides our customers with numerous marketing opportunities that showcase how the product is entirely in tune with the times,” says Stefan Grote.
Existing machines lose none of their customary levels of productivity when switching to natural grass paper. Furthermore, this material has shown itself to be a cost-effective alternative to synthetic materials. “A truly promising and forward-looking material,” says Stefan Grote.
Constantia Flexibles is the world’s fourth largest producer of flexible packaging. Based on the guiding principle of ‘People, Passion, Packaging’, some 7,200 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 32 sites in 18 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the food and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products of Constantia Flexibles. www.cflex.com