Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has partnered with SILBO, a Polish leading producer of compostable packaging, to create a paper-based high-strength packaging for the Irish farm potato business Meade Farm Group. The innovative bags replace hard-to-recycle plastic with paper, a renewable resource enhanced with a bio-based coating and are certified as compostable2.
Working closely for two years, SILBO, Meade and Mondi developed the FSC®-certified bag using speciality kraft paper to ensure strength in handling while providing barrier properties to keep the produce fresh. The bag has multiple sustainability features: a corn starch-based netting for a small cut-out window, water-based ink and Mondi’s biodegradable Sustainex® coating, which provides heat sealing and moisture barrier protection.
The packaging has been launched across Ireland, Poland, France and Germany, winning the silver Fruit Logistica Innovation Award. The new solution helps Meade to achieve its sustaina-bility goals: using packaging that is reusable, recyclable, renewable or compostable wherever possible.
Marcin ?piewok, SILBO Business Development Manager, explains: “The hybrid solution combines the excellent strength of speciality kraft paper and the tailor-made barrier and heat-sealing properties of compostable materials. Mondi’s speciality kraft paper in combination with our net, waterbased print, and unique technology was a long sought solution in the food industry and allowed us to substitute the conventional combination of plastic and mesh. We created the worldwide first compostable form-fill-and-seal potato bag with net window to deliver strong, durable, breathable, eco-friendly packaging for Meade.”
Jeni Meade, Sustainability Manager at Meade adds: “We believe in sustainability not only because it’s the right thing to do for the environment and future generations, but because it’s the right thing to do for any growing business that is forward-thinking and values efficiency. This new potato bag is an excellent example and was integral in our winning the Best Sustainable Packaging Strategy at the Green Food & Beverage Awards. By changing from the previous plastic pillow pack to this bag, we completely eliminated hard-to-recycle plastic. Additionally, when compared to a traditional block bottom paper bag of similar size, our compostable paper pillow pack reduces the paper usage by 34%. As a food producer, our company focuses on supplying the best tasting potatoes to our customers, and as a packaging user, we are committed to reducing the climate impact of our packaging for the wellbeing of the planet.”
About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2020, Mondi had revenues of €6.66 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.35 billion.
Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.
