FAQ.
We provide the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our raw materials, our fibers and our papers.
OutNature was founded in 2019 with the aim of reducing the consumption of natural resources, avoiding waste and giving them new value. We develop and sell innovative and environmentally friendly fiber and paper products for packaging solutions in retail and industry. Together with our regional partners and customers, we create holistic packaging solutions from paper based on the silphium plant , straw and paludi biomass. By considering the entire value chain, from the plant to the packaging, we respond quickly to the requirements of our customers and assume economic, social and ecological responsibility.
Our fibers are versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications – from packaging for food and natural cosmetics to banderoles, carrier bags and wrapping paper to labels, brochures and cardboard. They offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional materials . This allows creative and sustainable packaging concepts to be implemented –without compromising on quality or design.
OutNature does not produce end products. We supply the fibers and work together with a network of partners who manufacture and print paper or packaging. We are happy to assist in the selection of suitable production partners and can also provide samples on request.
The silphium plant is cultivated in Germany as an energy crop. Silphium features a whole host of environmentally friendly properties and helps conserve existing ecosystems and biodiversity: it is perennial, has a long and late blooming period, requires hardly any fertilizers and pesticides, offers erosion and groundwater protection, helps ensure humus accumulation, and much more.
Primarily in Germany (roughly 10,500 hectares in 2022), although increasing numbers of silphium farmers in nearby countries – Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria – are using silphium as a source of sustainable bioenergy in their biogas plants.
The silphium plant is native to North America and so far has been cultivated as an energy crop on roughly 10,500 hectares (2022) of land in Germany, e.g. as an alternative to corn. According to Germany’s Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), a total of some 1.5 million hectares was used for energy crop cultivation in 2020, of which roughly 989,000 hectares for corn.
Previously, all parts of the silphium plant were used for biogas production. Now, separating the fibers prior to the biogas process make it possible to use the fibers as a raw material in paper production and offers an extra source of income for farmers and biogas operators. By doing so, we create cascading value for the plant. In expanding the area of cultivation, our focus is on areas that are already used to cultivate energy crops. We have no interest in repurposing other areas such as those used for food production.
The silphium plant is cultivated in Germany as an energy crop. Silphium features a whole host of environmentally friendly properties and helps conserve existing ecosystems and biodiversity: it is perennial, has a long and late blooming period, requires hardly any fertilizers and pesticides, offers erosion and groundwater protection, helps ensure humus accumulation, and much more.
Silphium is a perennial energy crop. It is harvested in the fall, chopped and preserved using an ensiling process to produce silage that can be used year-round as an input for treatment as fibrous material. Previously, the silphium plant was used in its entirety to generate energy. Now, by focusing on cascading use, we also enable the fibers to be used as a raw material. They are separated using a biothermal procedure before bioenergy production, and are processed into a new, regional and sustainable raw material. And with zero chemicals. Just a small amount of water and energy are used. The remaining parts of the plant are fed into the biogas plant as a fermentation substrate. Our silphie fibers are produced locally right next to biogas plants.
Silphie fibers are the raw material for fiber-based products. Additional treatment, such as milling, can adapt the fibers to customers’ specific needs and ensure optimal functionality in downstream processing The areas of application include paper, fiber molding applications or natural fiber-reinforced plastics. Other uses are also conceivable.
Silphie paper can be produced in combination with FSC-certified pulp, and as such is certified FSC Mix. Silphie fibers are not currently eligible for FSC or PEFC certification since these certifications are reserved exclusively for wood and paper products.
In accordance with DIN 6730, paper is a flat material essentially comprising fibers, mostly of plant-based origin, that is formed by removing water from a fibrous suspension in a sieve. Since silphie fibers are fibers of plant-based origin and silphie paper is created using a paper-making machine, as previously described, we are well within our rights to speak of silphie “paper”.
Silphie paper is made of silphie fibers and conventional pulp or recycled paper. Our paper grades have a silphie fiber content of 35%. The silphie fibers give the paper its brownish look and natural feel.
Silphie paper is suited to a wide range of different paper applications. While our primary focus is on packaging applications, particularly in direct contact with food, we also offer specific graphics applications. Our paper products are machine-smoothed and surface-treated, and feature good printability in standard printing processes (offset, flexo, screen and digital printing).
We offer paper products featuring 35% silphie fibers. Following successful FSC® certification, our paper products use FSC-certified pulp.
Silphie paper products are machine-smoothed, surface-treated and feature good printability in standard printing processes (offset, flexo, screen and digital printing).
Bleaching is possible in principle; however, it would require the use of chemicals that we have previously avoided. Nevertheless, our R&D activities focus in part at examining possibilities to bleach silphie paper.
Since we refrain from using animal-based products in all of our raw materials and supplies, we can designate our entire product range (SilphiePaper/SilphieLiner/SilphieBoard) as vegan.
Silphie paper can be recycled just like conventional paper. You can dispose of it in the waste paper stream like you normally would.
The straw we use comes from the cultivation of wheat, barley and rye.
The grain is grown regionally in Germany. We pay attention to short transport routes and close cooperation with agricultural businesses.
The grain is notspecially grown for fiber production. The straw that accumulates during the grain harvest can be completely plowed under, as the rotting takes too long. Today, straw is also used as fuel, animal litter and ground cover. However, not allof the available straw is used. Processing into pulp is therefore a good opportunity for additional value creation. In Germany, approx. 10 million tons of straw are freely available each year.
Dried straw is cut to the appropriate length and fed into a reactor. Different quality levels can be produced on the basis of the process parameters pressure, temperature and time. In the subsequent process steps, the straw is washed and mechanically processed before it is used as a raw material on the paper machine.
Straw fibers are extremely versatile and are used in various areas. Straw is a by-product of agriculture in large quantities, and this is where OutNature comes in. We use this previously untapped potential and process straw into a high-quality fiber material that is suitable for the production of paper. We use a special process to extract the fibers from the straw, die which are then further processed into paper solutions.
Straw paper is a mixture of our straw fibers, recycled fibers and the usual fiber additives.
Straw paper can be used for all common packaging applications and corrugated board packaging.
As agricultural residues, straw fibers are not subject to the FSC. With its certificate, the FSC focuses on products that come from the forest. The use of straw fibers does not change the existing FSC certification of LEIPA products.
The straw paper will have very good printability, since the straw paper is processed in a white top test liner. This has excellent printability due to its lamination. The straw entry will only be on the back.
The appearance of the top sheet is similar to that of a coated kraftliner. The back is visually darker than that of a test liner.
Straw paper packaging can be added to conventional paper recycling (blue bin). Products made of pure straw are not. Straw paper is recyclable.
Paludibiomasse is plant material from rewetted bog areas, which is extracted from reeds, cattails and other wetland plants.
The agricultural and forestry use of wet and waterlogged moors is called paludiculture. The idea: High water levels in the bog throughout the year should ensure a completely wet peat body, which is thus maintained.
Peat soils store large amounts of carbon. If they are drained, they release greenhouse gases. This process is stopped by rewetting –,an important contribution to climate protection and the restoration of natural ecosystems.
The biomass comes mainly from reeds, bulrushes and other wet-loving plants that grow onrewetted bog areas.
Paludifibers are suitable for the production of paper, packaging, labels, carrier bags and other sustainable products. They offer an environmentally friendly alternative to virgin wood fibers.
Paludipaper is a paper product, made from various bog plants such as reeds or cattails. Depending on the availability and blend of the plants, the paper’s composition can vary.