Wrapping with grass-based paper? Don’t hesitate!

As the name suggests, grass-based paper is partly made from grass. Using grass as a raw material is a relatively new technique that is increasingly appearing in the world of packaging. The advantages are incredible: you can harvest it several times a year, no chemicals are needed for processing and processing requires less water and produces less CO2. Green in full force! But what is this material?

1. What is grass-based paper?

The most striking element of grass-based paper is undoubtedly the grass as a material. This grass creates a unique look as its fibres are clearly visible. The use of grass makes the paper very environmentally friendly for several reasons

• Grass is an alternative to paper and therefore reduces the demand for wood. Moreover, it grows almost everywhere and can be harvested/mown several times a year, so grass can be classified as a rapidly renewable raw material.

• The production process uses up to 50% less water than traditional paper, and no chemicals are used, as everything is entirely mechanical.

• The journey from the mown grass to the processing plant is shorter, which reduces CO2 emissions during transport.

• Instead of composting or burning grass clippings, they are now given a second life.

Important fact: grass-based paper is still only partially made of grass.The rest of the raw material is obtained from traditional paper and cardboard or untreated wood fibres.Grass lacks the strength to make paper (e.g., it does not contain cellulose).Depending on the final product, up to 50% grass can be found in this type of paper.

2. How is it made?

Pour commencer, l’herbe est d’abord séchée après la fauche. Cela devient donc du foin. Ce foin est ensuite moulu et pressé en granulés. Ces granulés constituent la base du processus de transformation ultérieur. Ils sont ensuite mélangés à des fibres de bois ou à du papier ou du carton traditionnel (pour donner au papier à base d’herbe une certaine solidité).

Selon le produit final, les granulés d’herbe peuvent être traités de différentes manières. Le produit final peut être un emballage, mais aussi une boîte, une étiquette, du papier cadeau, etc.

3. What products are made from grass-based paper?

Grass-based paper was commercially launched for the first time in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2018. A pilot project in which both countries participated showed that Flanders and North Brabant have up to 81,000 tonnes of dry grass available per year, ready to be turned into paper. This dry grass comes largely from heathland that has to be mowed every year.¹

This unique raw material has found its way into various packaging materials. At RAJA, grass-based paper is used in the following products

• Cardboard boxesgrass paper: A special selection of our boxes are made from grass paper. They are made from 30% sun-dried grass, supplemented by recycled cardboard. In addition, these products are climate-positive. You can find more information on the natureoffice. com website (available in German).

• Gift paper, gift bagsand gift bagsthe packaging is made from 15% grass paper, supplemented with recycled paper to ensure that it is strong. Only sustainable raw materials! And the paper contains no chemical additives.

Sources:¹ www.grasgoed.eu/over-grasgoed/