Pushing Out Plastic: The Rise of Cellulose Fibres in Packaging
In an ambitious move to combat plastic waste, retailers Carrefour and U-Group are spearheading a pilot project that could revolutionize the packaging industry. Shoppers in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg will soon find an array of products—from yoghurts to fruit juices—enveloped in sustainable cellulose fibre packaging. This initiative is part of the larger R3PACK project, supported by EU funding, which aims to introduce green packaging materials into the consumer market.
With the collaboration of food producers like Candia and packagers such as Thiolat, the project’s objective is clear: to significantly reduce the reliance on plastic packaging by replacing it with fibre-based alternatives. The test, set to commence later this year, is just the beginning. By May 2025, the initiative plans to extend these eco-friendly packaging solutions to thousands of stores across the three countries.
Europe’s struggle with packaging waste is not limited to food products. The continent generates a staggering 84 million tonnes of packaging waste annually, with plastic packaging posing a significant environmental threat. Despite recycling efforts, much of this plastic ends up polluting our land and waterways.
The R3PACK team is not only focusing on replacing plastic but also exploring reusable packaging options. While plastic’s unique properties make it a challenging material to substitute, innovative solutions are emerging. One such solution involves applying lamination or coatings to cellulose- or paper-based packaging, thereby retaining some of plastic’s protective qualities.
Anna Altner, founder of the Swedish startup Yangi, is at the forefront of these sustainable packaging developments. Yangi’s breakthrough “dry forming” process, which uses air instead of water to separate fibres from sustainably managed Scandinavian forests, is proving to be a game-changer. This method is not only less resource-intensive but also cost-competitive with plastic packaging.
As Europe moves towards a circular economy, with recent amendments to packaging waste legislation aiming for increased reuse and recyclability, companies like Yangi are well-positioned to lead the charge. The shift towards stricter global regulations on packaging waste further underscores the need for innovation in this sector.
Frank Gana of (RE)SET encapsulates the sentiment driving these efforts: tackling the issue of plastic packaging is a significant stride towards broader cooperation in greening Europe’s economy. As he aptly puts it, “Packaging is a good first step.”
