The Dutch paper manufacturer Crown Van Gelder will be offering paper made from sugar beet from next year. This is the first time that this type of paper has been produced industrially.
The company calls its new product line „Crown Native“. As fewer wood fibres are used, the environmental impact is reduced by 16 percent, according to the manufacturer.
Crown Native was developed with the Dutch agricultural co-operative as a strategic partner. The most important ingredient for the new paper is beet pulp, which is normally left over and has so far mostly been processed into animal feed or converted into biogas.
Two years of research
The new paper from Crown Van Gelder is the result of two years of research. The company investigated several crops to replace some of the wood fibres in the paper. The developers have succeeded in producing paper from 20 % beet pulp, thereby achieving environmental benefits in several areas: Transport routes are shorter and less water is used for production.
Authorised for food packaging
A major advantage of using sugar beet pulp is that it is FDA-compliant. The pulp is categorised as a former food product, which is why food can also be packaged in paper made from sugar beet. The company therefore sees its development as ideally suited for product packaging, but also for shopping bags and promotional printed materials.
Source: Crown Van Gelder
