Test Valley Packaging and envoPAP are working together to launch RAW (Reused Agricultural Waste), a line of packaging products made of by-products from sugar cane farms across India.
Since the manufacturing process is similar to that of wood pulp, RAW is thought to consume the same amount of energy as the production processes for paper and cardboard. According to Test Valley Packaging, benefits of switching to RAW packaging include the possibility to save up to 28% of carbon emissions, as well as reducing sugar cane waste in the agricultural sector, dealing with high demand for packaging, and combating deforestation.
The companies claim that RAW can function just as well as wood pulp-based packaging and is graded by grammage in the same way as ordinary paper products. The line will include cartons, printing paper, and mailing bags. The aim is that RAW will expand into void-fill, paper bubble wrap, and other packaging innovations in the future.
Each design comes in brown and white finishes and is said to provide an ‘exemplary’ print finish.
“As a leading packaging provider, we wanted to do something revolutionary in our industry,” said Ruth Lowe, sales director at Test Valley Packaging. “We are so excited about being able to offer Reused Agricultural Waste as a replacement for paper, this product will literally change the future of packaging for our planet.”
As a response to FEFPEB’s warning earlier this year that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was going to put pressure on European wood supply, Ukrainian start-up Releaf Paper has been manufacturing paper products from fallen leaves in the “circular cellulose production of paper/packaging”.
Releaf Paper received $100,000 in funding as part of the Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund. It was also a finalist in the Sustainability Awards 2022, and recently launched an online store for international customers.
Scientists from Oregon State University also developed moulded pulp packaging from the 20-30% of pomace left over during the production of apple juice.