Grass Paper: The Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Paper

How is grass paper produced?
The production of grass paper differs fundamentally from the production of conventional paper made from wood. The starting material is dried grass, which is processed into so-called pellets. These grass pellets are then further processed into grass fibers in a purely mechanical process. In contrast to pulp production from wood, the natural adhesive lignin does not have to be chemically removed. As a result, the manufacturing process is very energy-efficient and requires minimal water and no chemicals at all.
The grass fibers obtained in this way are then mixed with fresh fibers from wood or waste paper. The grass content in the finished paper is at least 30% but can also be up to 50%, depending on the intended use. The addition of grass fibers gives the paper a natural, light color and a pleasant feel.

What types of paper and packaging can be made from grass paper?
Grass paper is versatile and suitable for a wide range of products. It is particularly well suited for:
• Food packaging (e.g., for fruits, vegetables, eggs)
• Packaging for dry foods such as cereals, confectionery, or baked goods
• Packaging for cosmetic and drugstore products
• Folding boxes, labels, displays, and brochures
• Graphic papers for printed products
• Hygiene papers such as toilet paper, tissues, or kitchen rolls
Grass paper can be printed using common printing processes such as offset, digital, and flexographic printing and can be processed just like other papers and cardboard. It is recyclable and can be fed back into the waste paper cycle. In addition, grass paper is generally compostable.

What are the advantages of grass paper?
The use of grass paper offers numerous ecological advantages over conventional paper:
• Grass grows quickly and is available regionally in large quantities. It does not have to be transported over long distances like wood.
• Only 6 liters of water are required for the production of one ton of grass fibers - compared to at least 6000 liters for one ton of fresh fiber pulp from wood.
• The production of grass fibers causes around 95% fewer CO2 emissions than pulp production from wood.
• By using 30% grass fibers, 15% of CO2 emissions can be saved compared to waste paper recycling, and even 23% compared to fresh fibers from wood.
• Grass comes from extensively used meadows; no trees have to be felled for the production of grass paper. This relieves the forests and protects valuable ecosystems.
• The use of surplus grass from so-called permanent grassland offers farmers additional sources of income and helps avoid fallow land.
• Grass paper does not compete with animal feed, as it is obtained from grass from unfertilized areas that are not used for feed production.
For companies that value sustainability, grass paper is thus an attractive option to make their products and packaging more environmentally friendly. Consumers are also increasingly turning to grass paper products to contribute to environmental protection.

Grass paper is more environmentally friendly than conventional paper
Grass paper performs significantly better in the ecological balance than conventional paper made from fresh fibers or recycled paper. This is mainly due to the resource-saving manufacturing process, which largely does without water and chemicals and requires only little energy. In addition, no additional cultivation area is needed for grass paper, and no trees are felled.
Nevertheless, grass paper is not a panacea for the environmental problems of the paper industry. Since paper production is generally energy and resource-intensive, it is still most environmentally friendly to reduce paper consumption overall and consistently recycle paper. Nevertheless, grass paper is a sensible addition to cover the increasing paper demand in a more ecological way.

Conclusion: With a grass content of 30-50%, papers and packaging can be made significantly more environmentally friendly
Grass paper is a promising approach to improve sustainability in the paper and packaging industry. It is produced in a resource-saving and climate-friendly way from a renewable, regional raw material. With a grass content of 30-50%, papers and packaging can be made significantly more environmentally compatible without compromising on quality and processability.
Many companies have already recognized the potential of grass paper and are successively switching to the innovative raw material. More and more consumers are also consciously opting for grass paper products. It is to be expected that the market share of grass paper will continue to rise in the coming years - a pleasing development for the environment and climate protection.