+ What is bagasse?

Sugarcane fibres that remain after the juice has been extracted are referred to as bagasse. They are a fibrous residue from sugarcane processing and can be used as a raw material for packaging after appropriate processing.

After extraction, the bagasse fibres are cleaned and any remaining sugar residues are removed. They are then processed into a mouldable fibre mass. Under the influence of heat and pressure, this material can be pressed into different shapes.

The properties of the finished packaging depend on its specific material composition and design.

+ What is Biotré?

Biotré is a heat-sealable barrier material for flexible packaging, for example for coffee, tea or other sensitive products.

Its multilayer structure combines different functions such as product protection, sealability and mechanical stability.

Depending on the version, the exact material structure, raw material base and product properties may vary. Information on material composition and possible compostability is based on the relevant material specification and manufacturer documentation.

+ Do the different Biotré versions differ?

Yes. Depending on the version, the exact material structure of Biotré varies, as do the raw material base and product properties.

The version used depends on the requirements of the product being packed and the intended packaging application.

Specific statements regarding material composition or compostability must therefore be assessed for the respective version on the basis of the material specification and manufacturer documentation.

+ What are biodegradable plastics?

Biodegradable plastics can be broken down into smaller components and ultimately metabolised by microorganisms or their enzymes under suitable conditions.

The speed of this process depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, pH value, material thickness and the surface area of the product.

Whether a plastic is made from renewable or fossil-based raw materials does not determine whether it is biodegradable. The decisive factor is the chemical structure of the material.

+ What is CPLA?

CPLA stands for crystallised PLA, or polylactic acid.

A controlled crystallisation process changes the material structure compared with conventional PLA. Depending on the specific material grade, this can result in higher heat resistance and greater dimensional stability.

CPLA is therefore suitable, for example, for cutlery, hot-drink lids and other applications where standard PLA is unsuitable because of its lower heat resistance.

+ What does Cradle-to-Cradle mean?

Cradle-to-Cradle describes a concept in which products and materials are designed from the outset with their subsequent reuse or recovery in mind.

A distinction is made between biological and technical cycles.

The Cradle-to-Cradle principle describes a general concept and does not in itself make a statement about the properties of a specific product.

+ What is grass paper?

Grass paper combines processed grass fibres with wood fibres or recycled paper fibres.

Grass fibres are shorter than conventional wood fibres. They therefore cannot be used in arbitrarily high proportions if the paper is also required to provide the necessary strength for processing, printing and packaging applications.

The proportion of grass fibres may vary depending on the paper quality and intended application. Grass paper is therefore not paper made exclusively from grass.

The specific grass fibre content and the remaining material composition should be stated for the respective product.

+ What is sugarcane-based HDPE?

HDPE can be produced not only from fossil-based raw materials but also partly from renewable raw materials. In the corresponding grades, sugarcane is used as a raw material source.

According to the manufacturer, the material used in our WEBAgreen range consists of approximately 90% bio-based PE. Fossil-based components are additionally used for technical manufacturing reasons.

Its chemical and technical properties remain those of an HDPE plastic. The material is not biodegradable or compostable.

After use, it should be disposed of according to the local collection system for plastic packaging.

+ What is mechanical wood pulp?

Mechanical wood pulp is obtained from wood that is first shredded and then processed mechanically and/or thermally.

This produces fibres that can be used as a raw material for various paper- and fibre-based products.

Depending on the manufacturing process, fibre composition and subsequent processing, different paper and packaging grades with different technical properties can be produced.

+ What does “compostable” mean?

Biodegradable and compostable do not automatically mean the same thing.

Materials and products are considered compostable if they biodegrade under defined conditions within specified periods and also meet further requirements, for example regarding disintegration of the material and the quality of the resulting compost.

For packaging, DIN EN 13432 defines the requirements for industrial compostability. Among other aspects, biodegradation, disintegration of the material, certain constituents and possible effects on compost quality are assessed.

A basic distinction must be made between industrial composting and home composting. Certifications such as the “Seedling” logo or “OK compost INDUSTRIAL” refer to industrial composting under controlled conditions. Separate requirements and certification systems, such as “OK compost HOME”, apply to home composting.

Whether a specific product is compostable must be demonstrated for the respective material or finished packaging.

+ What is a monomaterial?

Monomaterial packaging solutions consist essentially of one material or one material family.

Such a structure can simplify sorting and material recycling.

Whether a specific package is actually recyclable also depends on its design, possible coatings, closures and the available sorting and recycling infrastructure.

Due to necessary protection and barrier properties, a pure monomaterial structure is not possible for every packaging application.

+ What is PaperWise?

PaperWise uses cellulose derived from agricultural residues.

These fibres are used as a raw material for paper and board and can partially or, depending on the product, largely replace conventional fibre raw materials.

The proportion of these fibres in a specific paper product and the exact material composition are stated in the relevant product specification.

+ What is PBAT?

PBAT stands for polybutylene adipate terephthalate and is a synthetic plastic from the polyester group.

The material is highly flexible and elastic and is therefore frequently used as a component of material blends. Typical combination partners include PLA and starch.

PBAT can biodegrade under defined conditions. However, whether a material blend or packaging made from it can be described as industrially compostable or home-compostable depends on the specific composition and the finished product and must be demonstrated accordingly.

+ What is greaseproof paper?

Greaseproof paper is a special paper based on cellulose pulp.

Intensive mechanical treatment of the fibres creates a dense paper structure, making the material particularly suitable for greasy and moist foods.

Uncontaminated material can be disposed of with waste paper provided that the specific version meets the requirements of the waste-paper stream. If heavily contaminated with food, it should be disposed of with residual waste.

+ What is glassine?

Glassine is a transparent, smooth paper based on cellulose.

Its transparency and smooth surface are created mainly through intensive mechanical densification of the paper fibres. This makes the material suitable, for example, for transparent windows or translucent paper packaging.

Uncontaminated glassine can be disposed of with waste paper. If heavily contaminated with food, it should be disposed of with residual waste.

+ What is PLA?

PLA, or polylactic acid, is a thermoplastic polyester whose raw materials can be derived from renewable sources such as starch or sugar.

The material is transparent, rigid and dimensionally stable. Standard PLA, however, has limited heat resistance and is therefore not suitable for all hot applications.

PLA can biodegrade under defined conditions. Certain PLA-based packaging products may be certified for industrial composting in accordance with DIN EN 13432.

Whether this applies to a specific package depends on its material structure and design and must be demonstrated for the individual product.

+ What is a composite material?

Composite materials combine different materials in order to achieve specific protection and barrier properties.

Depending on the application, barriers against oxygen, moisture, grease, light or aroma may be required. The individual material layers perform different functions and together form a packaging material tailored to the respective application.

Whether a composite material can be materially recycled after use depends on the specific material structure and the available sorting, separation and recycling processes.

A general statement regarding recyclability is therefore only meaningful on the basis of the specific material combination.

+ What is waxed tissue paper?

Waxed tissue paper is a particularly lightweight and flexible type of wax paper.

It is based on thin, unbleached tissue or wrapping paper that is finished with a wax coating.

Because of its low material thickness, it can conform closely to products and can be used, for example, as an interlayer or for wrapping sensitive foods. The wax coating helps provide protection against grease and moisture.

Different types of wax may be used depending on the product version. Statements regarding the exact composition, raw material base, recyclability or biodegradability must therefore be based on the relevant material specification.

+ What is wax paper?

Wax paper is paper that is coated on one or both sides with a layer of wax.

The coating improves protection against grease and moisture and can also help prevent products from sticking directly to the paper.

Different paper grades and types of wax may be used depending on the application. This results in differences in properties such as stability, grease resistance, moisture protection and temperature resistance.

+ What is cellophane?

Cellophane is a transparent film based on cellulose.

The material is thin, dimensionally stable and has its characteristic “crinkling” effect. Uncoated cellophane also has comparatively high water-vapour permeability.

Depending on the intended application, cellophane may additionally be coated or otherwise treated. This can significantly change properties such as barrier performance, sealability and moisture resistance.

Statements regarding biodegradability, compostability and the appropriate disposal route also depend on the specific material version and should only be used where corresponding evidence is available for the specific product.

+ What is cellulose or paper?

Cellulose is the most important fibre raw material used in paper production and occurs in plant cell walls, particularly in wood.

Mechanical processing of wood produces mechanical pulp. A large proportion of the lignin remains in the material during this process.

In chemical pulp production, a large proportion of the lignin is removed by chemical pulping processes, leaving the cellulose fibres largely exposed.

The resulting pulp forms an important basis for many paper and packaging grades.

+ Can compostable packaging be disposed of in organic waste?

Not automatically.

Technical compostability or a corresponding certification does not automatically mean that packaging may be disposed of in the organic waste bin.

The applicable legal requirements for the specific product and the local collection and disposal conditions are decisive.

Please therefore observe the requirements of your local authority or waste disposal company.