+ CPLA

CPLA stands for crystallised PLA (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 temperature resistance and dimensional stability. CPLA is therefore suitable, for example, for cutlery, hot-drink lids and other applications where standard PLA would not be suitable due to its lower heat resistance.

+ Grass paper

Grass paper combines processed grass fibres with wood or recycled paper fibres. After harvesting, the grass fibres are dried and prepared for further processing. They can then be used as part of the paper mixture.

Grass fibres are significantly shorter than conventional wood fibres. They therefore cannot be used in arbitrarily high proportions if the paper is also required to provide sufficient strength for processing, printing and packaging applications. The longer wood or recycled paper fibres provide a substantial part of the stabilising function.

Depending on the paper grade and intended application, the proportion of grass fibres can vary. For carrier bags, cartons and other packaging, the composition must be selected so that properties such as tear resistance, dimensional stability and processability are maintained.

Grass paper is therefore not paper made exclusively from grass, but a paper material in which grass fibres are specifically used as an additional fibre raw material. The actual grass-fibre content and the remaining material composition should therefore always be stated for the respective paper grade or specific product.

+ Sugarcane-based HDPE

HDPE can be produced not only from fossil raw materials but also partly from renewable raw materials. In the relevant grades, sugar cane is used as the raw-material source.

According to the manufacturer, the material used in the catalogue consists of around 90% bio-based PE; production-related requirements mean that fossil-based components are also used.

Its chemical and technical properties remain those of an HDPE plastic. The material is not biodegradable or compostable. After use, disposal should follow the applicable local collection system for plastic packaging.

+ Mechanical wood pulp

Mechanical wood pulp is produced from wood that is first reduced in size 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 production process, fibre composition and subsequent processing, different paper and packaging grades with their own technical properties can be produced.

+ Mono-material

Mono-material packaging solutions consist predominantly of one material or one material family. Such a structure can simplify sorting and material recycling. Whether a specific packaging solution 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 mono-material structure is not possible for every packaging application.

+ PaperWise

PaperWise uses cellulose obtained 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.

This gives agricultural side streams an additional material use. The proportion of these fibres in a specific paper product and the material composition are stated on the basis of the relevant product specification.

+ Greaseproof paper

Greaseproof paper is a grease-resistant speciality paper based on cellulose fibres. Intensive mechanical treatment of the fibres creates a dense paper structure, making the material particularly suitable for greasy and moist food products.

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

+ Glassine

Glassine is a transparent, smooth paper based on cellulose. Its transparency and smooth surface are primarily achieved through intensive mechanical densification of the paper fibres. This makes the material suitable, for example, for viewing windows or translucent paper packaging.

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

+ PLA

PLA (polylactic acid) is a thermoplastic polyester whose raw materials can be obtained from renewable sources such as starch or sugar. These are first converted into lactic acid and then processed into PLA.

The material is transparent, rigid and dimensionally stable and is therefore used for a variety of packaging applications. Compared with many conventional plastics, however, standard PLA has limited heat resistance and is therefore not suitable for all hot applications.

PLA can biodegrade under defined conditions. Certain PLA-based packaging products can be certified for industrial composting in accordance with DIN EN 13432. Whether this applies to a specific packaging product depends on its material structure and design and must be verified for the individual product.

PLA is therefore a plastic that can be produced from bio-based raw materials. Its suitability for a particular application, as well as any claims regarding compostability, must always be assessed on the basis of the specific product.

+ Cellulose film

Cellulose film, historically also known by the trade name Cellophane, is a transparent film based on cellulose. The material is thin, dimensionally stable and has the characteristic “crinkly” feel.

Uncoated cellulose film also has comparatively high water-vapour permeability and can therefore be suitable for applications where a certain level of moisture exchange is desirable, for example for baked goods or other food products that release moisture.

Depending on the intended application, cellulose film can also be coated or otherwise treated. This can significantly alter properties such as barrier performance, sealability and moisture resistance.

Claims relating to biodegradability, compostability and the appropriate disposal route also depend on the specific material version. They should therefore only be used where corresponding product or manufacturer documentation is available for the specific cellulose film.

+ Cellulose, paper

Cellulose is the most important fibre raw material used in paper production and occurs in plant cell walls, particularly in wood. In addition to cellulose, wood also contains hemicelluloses and lignin.

Mechanical processing of wood produces what is known as mechanical wood pulp. A large proportion of the lignin remains in the material. Such fibre materials are used, for example, for papers where high ageing resistance or strength is less important.

In chemical pulp production, a large proportion of the lignin is removed through chemical pulping processes. This largely exposes the cellulose fibres. The resulting pulp forms an important basis for many paper and packaging grades where properties such as strength, tear resistance and good processability are required.