The smooth moulded fibre products are renewable, compostable and can be recycled unlike polypropylene products made from fossil-fuels

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The smooth moulded fibre can be used to produce high-precision food packaging. (Credit: Eak K from Pixabay)

Finnish packaging solutions provider Huhtamaki has announced that its site in Alf, Germany will now produce smooth moulded fibre (SMF) products to meet the demand for plastic-free alternatives for food packaging.

The company said that smooth moulded fibre can be used to produce high-precision food packaging and replace rigid plastics.

The smooth moulded fibre products are renewable, compostable and can be recycled unlike polypropylene products made from fossil fuels. They serve as a sustainable alternative to similar plastic products.

Huhtamaki said that the German facility is planning to replace over 2,000 tonnes of plastic with fibre this year.

The automated manufacturing site can manufacture up to 3.5 billion fibre products per annum, representing the first such large scale production capability in Europe.

Huhtamaki’s Fibre Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania business segment president Eric Le Lay said: “There is a growing demand for sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging for food.

“Our high precision advanced manufacturing technology enables us to produce fibre lids, trays and other products with superior performance.

“These products dramatically reduce the consumption of plastic – which is mostly fossil fuel-based – whilst continuing to provide the same functionality including hygiene and safety which consumers expect.”

Currently, the Alf site provides fibre lids for various uses and products for foodservice and FMCG brands, including an assortment of hot, cold and frozen applications.

The products manufactured at the site have been certified for home composting (“OK” certification) and industrial composting (EN13432 standards).

Le Lay added: “Our portfolio of fibre products manufactured in Germany and our expertise in material and manufacturing innovation presents a wide range of sustainable packaging products to help customers deliver on their sustainability agenda and goals.”

Furthermore, Huhtamaki aims to ensure that its products are recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2030.

In August last year, Huhtamaki agreed to buy Elif Holding, a supplier of flexible packaging products, for €412m.