Transparent paper bags and recycled air pillows created to reduce microplastics.

This year, it is anticipated that five trillion plastic bags will be consumed, with the fashion sector responsible for “hundreds of billions” of these polybags. According to The World Counts, the current recycling rate for plastic bags is a mere 1%, meaning that an alarming 99% end up either in incinerators or polluting our environment.

In contrast, paper alternatives often require additional layers that incorporate traditional plastic coatings. These coatings contain microplastics that leach into the ecosystem and are nearly impossible to recycle.

In response to this issue, Camm Solutions and delfort have introduced CAMM, a patented material claimed to be free of toxins and microplastics. This innovative coating combines natural fibers with advanced PVOH formulations and is applied to two new types of paper products.

The transparent bags utilize CAMM alongside delfort’s high-transparency thinwrap paper, ensuring complete visibility of the packaged items. They are designed to be scratch-resistant, sealable, and durable, making them suitable for packaging clothing, toys, screws, and more.

Additionally, the air pillows incorporate delfort’s thinbase lamination with CAMM, resulting in an inflatable and sealable cushioning solution for shipping boxes. These air pillows can support loads of up to 50kg while maintaining their shape and lightweight properties.

Both of delfort’s paper products are crafted from fibers sourced from FSC- and/or PEFC-certified materials and can be recycled using the CEPI method.

Moreover, delfort collaborates with Canopy, an environmental non-profit organization focused on responsible fibre sourcing to safeguard ancient and endangered forests, as well as the habitats of threatened species.

“This innovative combination leads to microplastic-free packaging solutions that can be recycled in the paper stream,” states Nanda Bergstein, managing director of Camm Solutions. “We are excited to partner with delfort, a company that shares our commitment to transforming the packaging industry through solutions that can be easily integrated into existing production processes.”

Christoph Steger, CSO of delfort, adds, “We aim to provide our customers with fibre-based packaging that adheres to circularity principles. Our solutions are functional, recyclable in the paper stream, lightweight, and designed to reduce material usage.”

In a similar vein, last summer Ahlstrom, adapa, and Maped collaborated to package erasers in flow-packs made from fibre-based, transparent packaging papers. Ahlstrom’s Cristal paper, made from natural cellulose fibres, is marketed as both renewable and biodegradable, offering an alternative to conventional plastic or film substrates.

Flöter Verpackungs-Service has also introduced FSC-certified PaperWave Bio paper air cushions, which are made entirely from recycled paper. These cushions are certified recyclable by the Paper Technology Foundation, and their compostable sealing layer is designed to be thin enough to avoid contaminating the recyclability of the package.

Recently, Amazon and Mondi developed a paper-padded envelope featuring a shock-absorbent, paper-based lining. This initiative aims to help the e-commerce giant phase out plastic bubble wrap while ensuring that products remain protected during transit.