The silphium plant is native to North America and so far has been cultivated as an energy crop, e.g. as an alternative to corn, on roughly 10,500 hectares (2022) of land in Germany. 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.
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 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).
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.
Stiftsbergstraße 1
74172 Neckarsulm
Registered office: Neckarsulm, Germany
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