Stora Enso launches high strength food-grade paper for shopping and takeaway bags

24 Mar 2022 --- Stora Enso is launching shopping and takeaway bags made from 100% fresh fibers. The CarrEco Brown portfolio boasts high strength and tear resistance properties and is safe for direct food contact.

The paper bag materials are made from a new unbleached and uncoated board that is fully recyclable. Through its three-layer structure, CarrEco Brown offers “exceptional” strength properties suitable for strong shopping bags. 

The material contains only US Food and Drug Administration-compliant chemicals, which makes it ideal for takeaway food and groceries, says the company.

Stora Enso says it has accelerated the shift away from plastic by offering renewable, fiber-based materials designed for bag production.

Stora Enso says it is accelerating the shift away from plastic by offering fiber-based materials for paper bags.Fiber-based Frenzy
Innova Market Insights identified “Fiber-based Frenzy” as a top packaging trend in 2021. Innovation in plastic-replacement fiber-based solutions is booming as brands explore plastic waste escape routes and new connections with the enlarging eco-conscious consumer base.

Even in more technically challenging categories like confectionery bar wrappers and pouches, full-scale paper packaging conversions are occurring.

In addition to strength and purity, CarrEco Brown has a natural look and feel and does not contain any optical bleaching agents. 

Printing possibilities
Stora Enso says the material’s smoothness and formation qualities enable “great” printability possibilities for brand owners. 

Furthermore, the product is available in grammages starting from 85 gsm, allowing customers to grow and expand to new segments within the paper bag market. 

Last month, Stora Enso invested €8 million (US$9.1 million) to double its formed fiber production capacity in Europe. With new machinery in Hylte, Sweden, the company is aiming to meet increasing demand for low-carbon material. 

Together with takeaway salad bar company Picadeli, Stora Enso also introduced renewable formed fiber lids to replace single-use plastics in takeaway packaging. The lids are made of PureFiber by Stora Enso, plastic-free, recyclable and biodegradable. 

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim