Factsheet: What is bagasse, and why do we use it for food packaging?

What is bagasse?

Bagasse, also known as sugarcane pulp, is the fibrous material left after the juice has been extracted from sugarcane stalks. As a by-product of sugar production, it requires no additional land or crops to produce.

Because bagasse has a high cellulose content (around 50%), it can be processed into moulded fibre products that look and feel similar to paper or cardboard. Bagasse is naturally brown; white products have been bleached during processing.

Compared with wood, sugarcane is a fast-growing resource. It can reach harvest in as little as six months, whereas trees typically take seven to ten years to mature. In terms of raw material efficiency, 1.5 tonnes of sugarcane pulp yields 1 tonne of bagasse material, compared with 5 tonnes of wood required to produce 1 tonne of conventional paper.

Bagasse falls outside the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which applies to wood-derived materials. As it is made from sugarcane rather than timber, bagasse carries no EUDR due diligence obligations.

How is bagasse food packaging made?

Bagasse packaging is produced through a moulded fibre process:

1. Pulping: Dry bagasse fibres are mixed with water to create a pulp slurry.

2. Moulding: The pulp is pressed into shape using heated moulds, which simultaneously form and dry the product.

3. Trimming and finishing: Products are trimmed to their final dimensions and inspected for quality.

No plastic coatings or linings are applied during this process. Instead, performance properties such as water and oil resistance are achieved by adding food-safe additives during the pulping stage.

What additives are used, and is bagasse PFAS-free?

Certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were historically used in moulded fibre food packaging to improve grease and moisture resistance. PFOA and related compounds have been restricted under EU law since July 2020, and additional PFAS concentration limits for food-contact packaging are being introduced under Article 5 of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) from August 2026.

The Verive bagasse range uses PFAS-free additives. No PFAS are intentionally added during manufacturing, and products are tested in accordance with EU standards.

Depending on the performance level required, products use one of the following food-safe additives:

• NF75: Used in standard water-resistant and water-and-oil-resistant products.
• LRP303: Used in the enhanced water-and-oil-resistant tier, which provides a broader oil resistance temperature range.

What are bagasse’s performance properties?

Bagasse products are available in two configurations, depending on the application:

Additional usage guidance:

• Microwave safe: Suitable for reheating food.
• Freezer safe: Down to -18°C. Note that after thawing, the fibre may soften slightly due to moisture absorption.
• Not oven safe: Bagasse should not be placed in a conventional oven.
• Recommended food contact time: For food in direct contact with the product, up to 30 minutes.
• Not suitable for alcohol-containing foods or drinks.

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Is bagasse certified compostable?

Verive bagasse products carry two compostability certifications:

• EN 13432: The European standard for packaging compostability.
• OK Compost Industrial / Home: Certifies that products meet the requirements for both industrial and home composting.

Home composting standards are strciter than industrial, so a product certified for home composting will also meet industrial composting requirements.

What is the best end-of-life for bagasse?

Industrial composting is the recommended route. Under controlled heat and pressure, bagasse breaks down into organic matter and returns to the soil as nutrient-rich compost. Learn more about compostable food packaging.

Verive bagasse products also carry OK Compost Home certification, meaning they meet the requirements for home composting. This certification refers to a specific, lower-temperature composting process. It does not mean products will break down quickly in a typical back garden or in the open environment. As with all compostable packaging, the right conditions and collection infrastructure are needed for the material to break down as intended.

Bagasse should be collected and directed to the appropriate waste stream, not disposed of in general waste or left in the environment.

Bagasse versus paper: Which should you choose?

Both bagasse and paper are cellulose-based materials with a similar look and feel once processed. The core differences lie in the raw material source, production efficiency, and performance characteristics.

Paper is derived from wood pulp, a slower-growing resource with associated land-use and deforestation considerations. Bagasse is produced from a residue that would otherwise require disposal, using a crop that rapidly regenerates.

From a performance perspective, bagasse achieves water and oil resistance without a plastic coating — a meaningful advantage as coated paper products face increasing regulatory scrutiny. As non-coated bagasse products do not contain added plastic, they fall outside the scope of many Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) requirements that apply to plastic-containing packaging, including many coated paper alternatives.

Bagasse also tends to have a more premium look and feel, with greater structural rigidity that holds up better under heat, moisture, and with oily foods. Paper, on the other hand, remains the more affordable option and is well suited to lighter applications where these performance properties are not required.

More questions?

If you have questions about bagasse, or want to understand which products are right for your specific application, please get in touch.

Joao Paulo Mordente

“I believe responsible business is the future, and this starts with smarter, data-driven decisions today.”

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