Smurfit Kappa (Ireland) continued this week to bring sustainable innovative solutions to the agricultural sector by launching its industry-leading AgroPaperTM.

AgroPaperTM is a renewable and compostable paper designed to replace the plastic material that is used by many farmers and growers for ‘mulching’ when growing vegetables. Mulching refers to placing a material (mulch) on the ground to improve the soil around plants, prevent weeds growing and maintain the temperature of the land.

A team of specialists from Smurfit Kappa’s Nervion and Sangüesa Paper Mills worked with the INTIA (a research centre for agrifood technology in Spain) to identify a way to use long pine fibers from sustainably managed local forests as a basis for the new paper. The polythene that is most commonly used for mulches can be difficult and costly to remove and leaves behind small fragments that can be consumed by animals. AgroPaperTM, on the other hand, is an eco-friendly material that safely and harmlessly biodegrades as a compost into the ground.

Tests on AgroPaperTM revealed that in many cases the crop yield actually increased. Speaking about the company’s latest breakthrough, Laurent Sellier, COO Smurfit Kappa Paper Europe, said: "At Smurfit Kappa, we believe we have a responsibility to respond to the challenge facing the environment and society as a whole today by developing the paper and packaging solutions of the future.

"Through our Better Planet Packaging initiative we’re looking to generate innovative, sustainable solutions that have a positive impact on the environment. AgroPaperTM is an example of a truly circular product that solves a critical issue for many farmers and opens up a world of possibilities."

AgroPaperTM will be one of many innovative solutions for the agricultural sector that Smurfit Kappa is showcasing at the 27th annual Fruit Logistica event in Berlin next week.