Kaufland relies on innovative paper packaging made from Silphie fibres. In addition to the salmon already available under the private label K-Bio, apples of the Cameo variety are now also packaged in Silphie paper. It is produced by PreZero, the environmental division of the Schwarz Group, and sold under the OutNature brand.
In the coming weeks and months, apples and cress from K-Bio will also be available in the new packaging. The packaging paper is based on the fast-growing Silphie plant are produced by PreZero, the environmental division of the Schwarz Group, and marketed under the OutNature brand.
„The sustainable use of packaging materials plays a major role for us and we check how we can optimise the packaging for each product in terms of sustainability. The concept of producing packaging from the Silphie plant convinced us right from the start, especially as the entire development is carried out with OutNature within the Schwarz Group. We are therefore constantly reviewing the expansion of sustainable paper packaging to other products.“
Jürgen Schartschinski, Head of Fruit and Vegetable Purchasing at Kaufland
Silphia is a robust, perennial energy crop that is cultivated on a large scale in Germany, particularly around Lake Constance. Until now, it has been used exclusively for the production of biogas. Using a new biothermal process, OutNature has succeeded in separating the fibres from the other plant components and using them to produce biogas. to use them as a raw material for packaging.
This is also good for the environment: Regional silphia cultivation reduces transport routes and the associated CO2 emissions. In addition, little water and energy is used in the preparation process and the fibres are obtained without the use of chemicals. For farmers, the cultivation of the Silphie plant also offers a sustainable perspective, as it is insect-friendly, stores CO2 in the soil and protects it from wind and water erosion.
OutNature is already working on Silphie paper in order to provide it with additional barrier properties, for example against water or grease. In this way, paper can become another substitute product for plastic packaging.
Source: Department store
