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We write on it, wrap our sandwiches in it, and read some of the greatest stories printed on it: paper. But what exactly is it, and why has paper food packaging become such a staple? Let’s dive in.
What is paper?
Paper is a renewable material made from cellulose fibres. While wood fibres are the most common source, did you know they can also be derived from other plant-based resources such as grass, bamboo, and various other plants?
To create paper, cellulose fibres are mixed with water and other additives depending on the type of paper being produced. This process often involves chemicals, and for white paper, bleaching agents are used.
A single paper fibre can be recycled and repurposed 25 times.
How is paper made?
The traditional production process for virgin paper (‘new’ paper) from trees follows these steps:
- Cutting Trees. For all Verive products, the trees come from responsibly managed forests. These products can be FSC-certified.
- Debarking and chipping. The bark is removed, and the wood is chipped into small pieces.
- Boiling. The wood chips are cooked with water, steam, and chemicals to separate the wood fibres/ cellulose from lignin, resulting in wood pulp.
- Sifting and pressing. The pulp is spread onto a wire screen, allowing water to drain. It is then pressed into large sheets to remove even more water.
- Drying. The sheets are dried, wound onto rolls, and cut into smaller sizes as needed.
Why is paper used in food packaging?
In the Verive range, many products are made from paper. Virgin paper is food-safe and can be used for direct food contact, making it ideal for bread bags, coffee cups, paper cutlery, salad containers, and more.
Although virgin paper made from wood is the most popular, Verive’s range also includes other types of paper:
- Bamboo paper: used in our signature coffee cups. Bamboo grows quicker than other trees; however, it is not widely available on the market. Our bamboo cups are made from a blend of bamboo and wood fibres.
- Recycled paper: used in packaging that does not come into direct contact with food, such as our paper carrier bags.
Innovative use of paper in food packaging: transparent paper bags
Consumers often prefer to see what they’re buying, especially when grabbing a snack or sandwich on the go. With evolving legislation, plastic is not always the best way forward for foodservice businesses.
We believe in mono-material products (products made from just one type of material), which is why we proudly offer transparent paper bags. When kept clean and dry, they are fully recyclable with paper waste at end-of-life.
Curious about how these unique paper bags are made? Join us on a tour through the European factory!
Paper and coatings: creating a barrier
Within paper food packaging, products can be either coated or uncoated.
Coated products
A thin layer of PLA, PE, or aqueous coating makes paper products resistant to liquids, oil, and fat. This is why our coffee cups, salad bowls, soup cups, and some food containers are coated. These coatings, even when derived from renewable resources, contain polymers and are therefore subject to restrictions under the SUP Directive in certain cases.
Uncoated products
When a coating is not required, such as when serving dry foods like a sandwich, we recommend uncoated products. These can be recycled with paper when clean and are not subject to restrictions or bans under the SUP Directive.
Explore our SUPD-proof range here.
72% of the paper used in Europe is recycled.
End-of-life for paper packaging
Paper aligns with our commitments not only because it’s a renewable material but also because its end-of-life options support a sustainable packaging strategy. All our paper food packaging products are suitable for recycling, industrial composting, or both at end-of-life.
- When clean and dry, paper is perfectly recyclable. However, lined and coated paper products can be more difficult to recycle, with capabilities varying by region.
- Even our coated paper products are certified industrially compostable under EN:13432. Note that composting facilities and regulations vary by country and region. Learn more about composting in this factsheet.
Want to know more?
Reach out to us at info@verive.eu or leave a message on our contact page. For a summary of the information above, you can download our PDF factsheet here.