Mondi unveils lightweight banana box design to tackle EU plastic restrictions

UK – Mondi has teamed up with trading partner Europcell, Ecuadorian exporter Incarpalm, and a European importer to roll out a redesigned banana box that cuts weight while keeping fruit safe.

According to the companies, the new version uses about 40% recycled fiber and sheds up to 10% of its previous mass, which helps trim transport emissions without sacrificing protection.

Teams reworked the box’s structure and paper mix to handle real-world demands. Tests covered various setups, checking how it fares with weight, toughness, and moisture. 

In a 2024 trial in Ecuador, full loads of bananas traveled 33 days to Europe under sensor-monitored heat and humidity spikes. 

The packaging stayed solid the whole way, the partners reported.

Marek Motylewski, a technical service expert for containerboard at Mondi, described the outcome: “Seeing the new box perform under such tough conditions was incredibly rewarding.”

“It started as a question on a customer visit and turned into a solution that delivers measurable benefits for the entire supply chain.”

The design pairs ProVantage SmartKraft Brown for its robust barrier properties with ProVantage Frescoflute, a semi-chemical layer that adds stability to slimmer builds. 

This timing lines up with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, or PPWR, which will outlaw single-use plastic for pre-packed fruits and vegetables under 1.5 kg starting in 2026.

Fiber options like this one fill a gap as exporters hunt for compliant swaps.

Jorge Romero, operations manager at Incarpalm, stressed that box dependability drives everything in their work. 

He added that the joint effort links fresh ideas with everyday needs, ensuring the packaging works across the board.

Gijs Huisman, sales director at Mondi Containerboard, highlighted the teamwork in a statement: “This project shows what’s possible when we combine technical expertise with open collaboration.” 

“It’s a great example of co-creation that delivers tangible results in strength, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency.”

Mondi continues pushing boundaries elsewhere too. Just last month, the company partnered with Turkish fresh produce exporter Özler Tarım on a recyclable solution for their goods. 

That setup boosts product shielding during handling, which cuts down on spoilage and supports waste reduction targets, according to project details.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s fruit growers are ramping up efforts to meet PPWR rules, aiming for all packaging on the EU market to hit 100% recyclability by 2030 while meeting recycled content quotas. 

In addition, an Ethiopian firm called Zafree is turning banana peels into pulp-based paper for boxes, rerouting farm scraps from dumps to create closed-loop materials.

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