{"id":6652,"date":"2026-02-18T10:14:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/out-nature.de\/?page_id=6652"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:28:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:28:42","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/out-nature.de\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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We provide the answers to the most frequently asked questions about our raw materials, our fibers and our papers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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About OutNature <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Who is OutNature <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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OutNature<\/span> 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 <\/span>, straw and <\/span>paludi<\/span> biomass<\/span>. 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.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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For which products are the fibers used? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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 <\/span>. This allows creative and sustainable packaging concepts to be implemented <\/span>–<\/span>without compromising on quality or design.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Does OutNature produce paper or packaging itself? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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OutNature<\/span> does not produce end products. We supply the fibers and work together with a network of partners who manufacture and print paper or packaging. <\/span> We are happy to assist in the selection of suitable production partners and can also provide samples on request.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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About Silphium <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plant <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Who or what is the silphium plant? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Where is the plant grown? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Primarily in Germany (roughly 10,500 hectares in 2022), although increasing numbers of silphium farmers in nearby countries \u2013 Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria \u2013 are using silphium as a source of sustainable bioenergy in their biogas plants. \u00ad\u00ad<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Is the plant grown especially for the paper? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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\u2019s 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.<\/p>

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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Are there EU agricultural subsidies for silphium cultivation, as for other cultivation areas? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Fibers <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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How are the Silphie fibers produced? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What can Silphie fibers be used for? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Silphie fibers are the raw material for fiber-based products. Additional treatment, such as milling, can adapt the fibers to customers\u2019 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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Can silphie fibers be FSC\u00ae or PEFC-certified? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Paper <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Can it be called silphie \u201cpaper\u201d? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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 \u201cpaper\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What is silphie paper? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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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. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What grammages are available for silphie paper? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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