The future belongs to "fiber", for this we see 9 dominant factors that make fiber-based packaging the winner in many packaging applications:
- The raw material is renewable and available
- The raw material is recyclable (up to 25 times in the case of paper fiber)
- Paper and cardboard have a dense and global recycling infrastructure
- Production is increasingly carbon neutral, especially if the fibers come from agricultural or manufacturing residues
- Fiber-based materials that end up in nature (littering) are annoying but less critical to the environment unless biodegradability is compromised by special coatings
- Fiber-based packaging has high consumer acceptance (which is not a sustainability feature, but is an advantage for market presence)
- The range of applications for fiber is constantly expanding due to its multiple uses and positive environmental rating. Traditionally processed into paper, cardboard and corrugated board on rolls or sheets, paper fiber (including other fibers based on renewable raw materials or biogenic residues) has opened up an innovative and promising packaging system through processing in fiber casting, injection molding or thermoforming.
- In combination with sustainable barrier media, fiber-based packaging will also play an increasing role as primary packaging in direct contact with food.
- Fiber-based packaging is valued much more favorably than plastic or mixed packaging in licensing models. This allows savings to be made that can partly offset or sometimes even exceed the additional costs of paper and cardboard compared to plastic, for example.