The Hamburg-based company one.five develops sustainable packaging with the help of modern AI technologies, most recently a paper-based barrier packaging for the organic spice manufacturer Foodie & Friends.
The Hazelsun material used is recyclable in the waste paper stream and replaces previously used spice packaging, some of which was not recyclable. Hazelsun fibres are obtained from agricultural residues such as leaves and stems. The cellulose is produced using 100 per cent renewable energy. Hazelsun is CEPI-certified, compatible with European paper recycling streams and enables a CO₂ reduction of over 30 per cent compared to petroleum-based PP films.
High requirements for spice packaging
The requirements for spice packaging differ from those of other fast-moving consumer goods. Flavourings and essential oils must be reliably protected. In addition, the material must provide a sufficient barrier against moisture, oxygen and light.
„Hazelsun was developed to fulfil the barrier requirements of sensitive food products with a recyclable paper solution. The material can be processed on existing industrial packaging lines without modification and provides a reliable and tight heat seal. The collaboration with Foodie & Friends has shown that spice packaging can technically be converted to paper without compromising packaging performance or process stability.“
Martin Weber, Founder and Managing Director of one.five
According to the organic spice manufacturer, the packaging must meet the same sustainability standards as the product itself. „What good are organic products if they are ultimately packaged in plastic or aluminium, the production of which is associated with immense CO₂ consumption? We asked ourselves precisely this question and found a sustainable solution. That's why we rely on Hazelsun, which is made from agricultural waste from the maize harvest. The result is packaging that is not only recyclable in waste paper, but is also particularly environmentally friendly,“ says Dirk Siemenowski, founder and Managing Director of Foodie & Friends.
Due to its technical performance and integration into existing machine environments, the material offers new opportunities for manufacturers who need to fulfil both legal requirements and sustainability goals.
Source: one.five
