Sofidel Looks To Shed Plastic From Paper Goods Packaging

Maintaining its focus on offering paper products that have a limited impact on the environment, Sofidel at the PLMA 2023 Private Label Show in Chicago showcased a line of paper towels that are sold without the familiar plastic packaging.

The company’s paper towels and bath tissue were presented wrapped in paper packaging. While more common in Europe, company officials said this tactic has yet to take hold broadly with retailers in the United States. Company officials told Store Brands that it does provide a line of private label paper towels to a regional grocer in the U.S., but declined to provide that retailer’s identity.

“We have the ability to do a variety of prints on the towels along with various packaging designs,” said Franco Di Felice, innovation director at Sofidel. “We also have the ability to produce a variety of bundle sizes to meet a retailer’s needs.” 

Made from 25% post-consumer recycled material, Di Felice said the 3-ply towels are thick and absorbent and can be used around the home for a variety of cleaning tasks and on surfaces including glass, ceramics and stainless steel. 

While most retailers in the U.S. continue to sell paper towels wrapped in plastic packaging, Di Felice noted that retailers in Europe are working to eliminate the use of plastic packaging for paper goods. He pointed to the British grocer Sainsbury’s, which as part of its initiative to reduce the use of plastic recently decided to offer paper products that are sold only in paper packaging.

Headquartered in London, Sainsbury’s operates approximately 1,400 stores across the United Kingdom as of 2022 with revenue that same year of £29.9 billion ($37.7 billion). 

Additionally, Sofidel presented a bath tissue line that offers a lavender scent. The fragrance is manufactured into cardboard center of each roll and offers a light fragrance at each use. Company officials said a variety of fragrances can be added to the bath tissue as desired by a given retailer.