As manufacturers look to reduce plastic packaging while maintaining performance in demanding industrial environments, Mondi is working closely with customers to deliver paper‑based alternatives.
In partnership with SwissKrono, a global producer of wood‑based materials for interior design and construction, Mondi enabled the transition from plastic laminate flooring packaging to paper-based packaging solutions that support efficiency, protection and circularity.
The challenge: replacing plastic without compromising performance
Plastic shrink and stretch films offered proven performance in SwissKrono’s operations, but also came with environmental limitations. Any alternative needed to work within a high-volume, automated production environment while delivering the same level of reliability.
Key requirements included:
- Consistent performance on existing machinery
- Strong product protection during transport and high load stability
- Operational reliability and efficiency in fast-paced production lines
- Improved handling for customers and end users
- Reduced plastic use and lower carbon emissions
The solution: high-performance paper designed for industrial use
To meet these requirements, Mondi and SwissKrono implemented two high-performance kraft paper-based solutions across different stages of the packaging process.
Where this solution excels:
- The high-strength kraft paper contains 20% recycled content
- The kraft paper is recyclable in conventional paper streams
- High puncture resistance protects edges
- Reliable runnability on existing automated packaging equipment
- Excellent printability, enabling SwissKrono to integrate branding and user instructions directly onto the paper
- Elimination of additional inserts, simplifying the packaging process
Where this solution excels:- The 70 gsm kraft paper provides strong stretch properties, tear resistance and load stability for safe transport
- Produced from 100% kraft paper with no plastic coating
- Fully recyclable in conventional European paper waste streams
For this application, Mondi’s internal product impact assessment also shows a reduction in CO2e emissions compared with conventional plastic stretch wrap.
The outcome: circular gains, operational wins
By replacing plastic packaging with paper‑based alternatives, Swiss Krono has taken a decisive step towards more circular industrial packaging, without compromising on performance and efficiency across its operations. The results speak for themselves:
- Reduced plastic usage by replacing plastic shrink and stretch films with paper‑based packaging solutions
- Lower CO2e emissions for tray wrapping and pallet wrapping, based on Mondi’s internal product impact assessments
- Improved production efficiency through the removal of a heat‑shrink tunnel and the integration of printing and wrapping steps
- Enhanced end‑user convenience, as paper packaging allows laminate panels to breathe, enabling immediate installation without a 24‑hour acclimatisation period
These results demonstrate how high‑performance paper solutions can meet demanding industrial packaging requirements while delivering a more circular packaging approach.