Sappi Europe and Kallfass join forces on paper-based pack solutions to meet rising demand

08 Sep 2022 --- Sappi Europe and Kallfass are developing an environmentally sustainable, paper-based alternative to film-based primary, secondary packaging in the non-food packaging sector. 

Sappi and Kallfass assert that they are not only striving to meet current customer needs, but they are also focussing on identifying future needs and providing future-proof solutions. The companies say they have noticed an increase in current demand for environmentally sustainable solutions targeted to the e-commerce market – one of today’s fastest-growing sectors, and not only since the pandemic. 

“Our goal is perfect, [environmentally] sustainable packaging made of paper that can be disposed of directly via the wastepaper stream and returned to the cycle,” explains Jens Kallfass, managing director at Kallfass. 

“To offer our customers an alternative to film packaging, we are working with specialty paper manufacturer Sappi on the paper packaging of the future.” 

Although consumers’ demand for recyclable packaging increases, their recycling behavior has stayed the same, finds Innova Market Insights.A needs analysis in terms of product requirements for the packaging and detailed material tests revealed that a change to paper-based solutions can be implemented effectively and reliably – while guaranteeing a smooth packaging process later on. 

Paper-based packaging for the non-food sector
The production of sustainable packaging, however, requires not only optimal processes, but also an ideal material. Sappi claims it has extensive experience and long-established expertise, especially in the field of secure, functional paper packaging. 

The packaging paper manufacturer says it was “the first” manufacturer to launch an innovative packaging paper with integrated sealing functionality. This innovative sustainable packaging solution generated high interest in the market and has continued to evolve.

When inquiries from brand manufacturers for paper-based packaging solutions in the non-food sector started multiplying at Kallfass, Sappi said it was “the ideal partner” to fulfill customer requirements with its expertise. 

Since then, Kallfass has been working with Sappi’s portfolio to offer its customers highly effective paper-based solutions instead of film. For example, the Sappi Seal product family, with its sealing properties, was used to reliably wrap mattresses in durable, recyclable material.

More demand, more initiative?
A study conducted by the Sendcloud shipping platform (e-Commerce Delivery Compass 2021/2022) indicated that close to 78% of European consumers surveyed believe that packaging material should be fully recyclable. This development has also been noted by online retailers who recognize a need for optimization. 

However, Innova Market Insights shows that overall, European consumers’ recycling behavior has stayed the same throughout the last year. So although consumers might want to buy more recyclable packaging, they are not recycling more themselves.

Household packaging companies are also observing a slow increase in consumer willingness to recycle and reuse their packaging solutions. 

This week, PackagingInsights explored the latest trends in household packaging with experts from SP Group (SPG), Henkel and Berry Global. 

By Natalie Schwertheim

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