Produce suppliers switch to paper pallet wrap

Mondi has collaborated with Silbo to upgrade its pallet wrapping from plastic stretch film to Mondi’s craft paper Advantage StretchWrap. Silbo installed its first EW Technology PaperWrap machine at its plant in Żory, Poland, providing more sustainable flexible packaging for its range of customers, including those supplying fruits and vegetables.

The Advantage StretchWrap is made with responsibly sourced fibres and does not contain plastic or coating. It is made from wood and is fully recyclable in existing paper waste streams, supporting the transition to a circular economy. An independent life cycle assessment (LCA) commissioned by Mondi showed the StretchWrap performed better than standard plastic stretch film in several important environmental impact categories. It has puncture resistance and high stretch properties providing robust protection for goods during transportation.

This switch from plastic to paper was made possible by a close working relationship between Mondi, Silbo and EW Technology. A complete reel of Advantage StretchWrap can be applied to the fully automated machine without any need to rewind. With larger dimensions, a replacement is only needed every 400–600 pallets.

Marcin Śpiewok, Silbo CEO, said the company is passionate about supporting global producers in transitioning from plastic to sustainable alternatives. He said the development will support the company’s reputation for sustainability, benefiting its customers and the end users.

Bartosz Babicz, Product Manager for Advantage StretchWrap at Mondi, said the collaboration illustrates the company’s commitments to using paper as a renewable and recyclable material.

“Advantage StretchWrap offers an efficient alternative to plastic film and the products still get the same protection, with a very important benefit: the installation offers a sustainable solution for all of Silbo’s customers, improving the sustainability journey of all their pallets on a global scale,” Babicz said.