UK – Test Valley Packaging is collaborating with envoPAP to launch Reused Agricultural Waste (RAW), a line of packaging products said to be made of by-products from sugar cane farms across India.

Made from agricultural waste from sugar cane farms across India, the card and paper will be available in a number of different formats for a wide range of packaging products.

RAW is said to function to the same standard as wood pulp-based packaging and is graded by grammage in the same way as ordinary paper products.

The line will include cartons, printing paper, and mailing bags, and it is hoped that RAW will expand into void-fill, paper bubble wrap, and other packaging innovations in the future.

Test Valley Packaging is the first supplier in the UK to manufacture this revolutionary product.

It has been independently tested and proven to perform to exactly the same high-quality standards as wood-pulp-based cards and paper.

RAW packaging is graded using GSM, can be produced in both brown and white finishes and demonstrates an exemplary print finish.

This partnership comes at a time when consumer awareness is driving the packaging industry to become more sustainable.

However, few are aware that it takes between 15 and 24 trees to create one tonne of paper and around 54,000 liters of water.

The impact of changing to RAW packaging could mean saving up to 28% of carbon emissions compared with producing paper and cards from wood pulp.

In addition, the use of byproducts means that paper and pulp manufacturing companies do not need to resort to deforestation for raw materials.

According to 8billion trees, each year 15 billion trees are harvested around the world 60% of which is used to manufacture paper and cards.

Although replanting targets remain high, only 5 billion trees are planted per year which is nowhere near enough to replenish what is taken.

As companies strive to reduce waste, Test Valley Packaging has found a sustainable way of using the waste stream created from an agricultural source.

Sales Director, Ruth Lowe concludes: “As a leading packaging provider, we wanted to do something revolutionary in our industry.

“We are so excited about being able to offer Reused Agricultural Waste as a replacement for paper, this product will literally change the future of packaging for our planet.”

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