Huhtamaki increases smooth molded fiber production as plastic-free packaging demand grows

24 Mar 2022 --- Huhtamaki is increasing its production of advanced smooth molded fiber packaging in Europe. The company’s site in Alf, Germany, is switching its focus from plastics to smooth molded fiber products to meet the growing demand for plastic-free alternatives for food packaging. 

The company has strengthened its manufacturing capabilities in smooth molded fiber. This transformative and technologically advanced material can be used to produce high-precision food packaging and replace rigid plastics.

In 2022, the unit plans to replace more than 2,000 tons of plastic with fiber. Huhtamaki’s state-of-the-art automated manufacturing site will have the capacity to manufacture up to 3.5 billion fiber products annually, representing the first such large-scale production capability in Europe.

Smooth molded fiber
Huhtamaki’s smooth molded fiber products are already used by some of the world’s leading foodservice operators. The advanced manufacturing facility at Alf currently delivers fiber lids for various uses and bespoke products for leading foodservice and FMCG brands, including an assortment of hot, cold and frozen applications.

In contrast to polypropylene products made from fossil fuels, smooth molded fiber products are renewable, compostable and can be recycled. Additionally, the wood fiber used to produce Huhtamaki’s bespoke and generic designs is sourced from certified sustainably managed European forests. The products made in Alf have been certified for home composting (“OK” certification) and industrial composting (EN13432 standards).

“There is a growing demand for [environmentally] sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging for food. Our high precision advanced manufacturing technology enables us to produce fiber lids, trays and other products with superior performance,” explains Eric Le Lay, president of Huhtamaki’s Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment.Huhtamaki recently transitioned Unilever’s Carte D’Or ice cream packaging to recyclable paper tubs and lids.

“These products dramatically reduce the consumption of plastic – which is mostly fossil fuel-based – while providing the same functionality, including hygiene and safety which consumers expect.”

“Our portfolio of fiber products manufactured in Germany and our expertise in material and manufacturing innovation presents a wide range of [environmentally] sustainable packaging products to help customers deliver on their sustainability agenda and goals,” says Eric Le Lay, President of Huhtamaki’s Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment.

Plastic substitution
Huhtamaki is working to ensure its products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2030. This ambition includes creating scalable and viable alternatives for plastic substitution in line with its 2030 Strategy.

This month, Huhtamaki transitioned Unilever’s Carte D’Or ice cream packaging to recyclable paper tubs and lids with a layer of polyethylene for sealing. The move to paper-based packaging will help the brand eliminate more than 900 metric tons of virgin plastic in the UK annually.

On Tuesday, Huhtamaki called for broad collaborations between the public and private sectors, asserting that creating a circular economy will not be possible unless governments and industry bodies work more closely.

Edited by Joshua Poole