Which material is right for me?
ABENA always recommends that you choose materials and products that suit your needs. A variety of factors influence the decision-making process: your food production process, the possibilities for sorting and recycling and how important a green sustainable profile is to your business.Read more about the characteristics of different alternative sustainable materials below or contact us to find out more about your choices.
Paper
With its natural origin and ability to be fully biodegradable and compostable, paper is an environmentally friendly material. In addition, paper has the advantage of being 100% renewable and decomposes quickly because the fiber structure easily dissolves in nature.Wood
Wood is environmentally friendly thanks to its natural origin and is therefore completely biodegradable and compostable. In addition, wood is carbon dioxide neutral and has the advantage of being 100% renewable.Bagasse
Bagasse is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. It is a material made from residual waste from sugar production. When the sugar is extracted from the cane, fibers remain. These fibers can be used for different types of products and are suitable for hot and cold dishes, and also for heating in the microwave. In addition, Bagasse is 100% biodegradable and can be easily composted. In controlled composting, it breaks down within 30-90 days.Palm leaf
The production of palm leaf products is very simple and sustainable. The naturally fallen palm leaves are collected on the palm plantation, cleaned and heat-pressed into various sizes and shapes. With this type of production, palm leaves are 100% free from chemicals and other additives, as well as completely biodegradable and compostable. The result is a strong material with an elegant, wood-like structure. In addition, palm leaf is carbon neutral and 100% renewable.Kaolin coating
A kaolin coating means that the top of the cardboard is coated with an ultra-thin layer of kaolin (clay). This means no extra barrier, but only a natural layer that makes the surface a little smoother. The kaolin coating is biodegradable, compostable and of natural origin.Frequently Asked Questions
What does biodegradable mean?
Being biodegradable means that the material has the ability to decompose completely in nature without any special handling. The material or product is of 100% natural origin without the use of harmful chemicals or additives. These materials turn into water, carbon dioxide and biomass as they decompose, with no other residual products.What does compostable mean?
Being compostable means that the materials are biodegradable under specific conditions, which means they can be broken down in an industrial composting facility. These products meet the requirements of the European regulation EN 13432, which requires that the composting time can take between 90-180 days without leaving any toxic residues.
What is the connection between biodegradable and compostable?
Materials from pure natural resources such as wood, bagasse, palm leaves and paper pulp are considered biodegradable without testing in accordance with the European standard EN 13432.
Whereas bioplastics, such as PLA, must be tested for biodegradability before they are considered compostable. Products that are tested for biodegradability according to the European standard EN 13432 are marked with Din Certco.
What is a carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint is a description and measurement of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the activities of individuals, companies, organizations, services and products consumed within a certain time frame. The carbon footprint is used to clearly inform how different behaviors affect the planet.
What does it mean to be carbon neutral?
A material is characterized as carbon dioxide neutral if it does not release more carbon dioxide during combustion than it does during natural decomposition.
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