Sustainable Papers: Biocycle by Gmund
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental sustainability have long been pillars on which brands can build their values, communication and procurement strategies.
Think Patagonia or Vivienne Westwood, for example: premium brands with a central ethos that has informed the way they look, feel and operate for decades.
At one time, these were the outliers. The majority of brands simply filed away their social and environmental responsibilities, focusing instead on delivering newness at any cost.
Now, however, we understand that audiences are increasingly conscious of brands’ impact on people and planet alike. From raw materials and manufacturing processes, to logistics and packaging, the playing field has shifted; in order to keep up, brands must keep more than one eye on the consequences of their design, development and production decisions.
It’s even been rumoured that Apple, once championed as the gold standard in sensorial unboxing experiences, will soon launch a new line of secondary packaging that, in its design and execution, suggests a more sustainable future for the brand.
At Nirvana CPH, we understand the importance of acting in an environmentally responsible way. We make sure all of our production partners share this purpose and encourage the brands we work with to do the same.
That’s why our Insight team supports you to make the right sustainable choices for your brand across colours, materials and finishes. Our Creative Production team are on hand to offer state-of-the-art production methods, and to provide an FCS-certified chain of custody for all our clients.
BIO CYCLE by Gmund
Third position on our list goes to Bio Cycle, a paper collection by Gmund; an FSC-certified, award-winning German manufacturer from Bavaria with almost 200 years of papermaking behind them.
Bio Cycle is a truly modern and environmentally responsible paper collection. It is manufactured from up to 50% resource-saving plant fibres such as wheat straw, grass, cotton and cannabis.
It comes in white and coloured variants, with an uncoated, matt surface. Overall, Bio Cycle offers real added value in terms of its design, feel and story, and can be used in a variety of ways.
The natural chlorophyll used in the production process of Bio Cycle’s green variant gives the paper a vibrant colour, while the 5% unprocessed straw used in the manufacture of another creates a feeling of running your hand over the real thing.
And we should know: Nirvana CPH were asked to support the launch of this paper in the UK by participating in the Bio Cycle Roadshow – where our Materials & Insights lead, Katie Kubrak, offered tips and tricks for writing “Sustainable Stories” with paper materials.
SUSTAINABILITY:
1. Source of fibre: 50% of alternative fibre source from rapidly growing sources such as grass, wheat straw, cannabis, and cotton; the remaining 50% is FSC-certified virgin cellulose fibres obtained from sustainably managed forests. The collection also includes one option that is made from 100% recycled paper.
2. Making process: Produced in the mill situated on the shores of Lake Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany. A number of raw materials are collected locally. This includes grass cut from Upper Bavarian meadows and straw from Bavarian farmers, high-quality cellulose from European-grown cannabis and high-quality cotton waste fibres exported from Europe and USA.
3. Energy: With in-house facilities, the mill produces up to 75% of its electrical current from renewable energy sources such as waterpower, solar energy and power-heat coupling – all of this without generating CO2. Of this 75%, up to 52% of renewable energy comes purely from hydropower. This is a big step and a ground-breaking innovation in the paper industry.
4. Water: Water consumption is continually reduced through efficient optimisation measures. Gmund’s mill treats its industrial water with ozone and entirely without chemicals. This modern ozone water purification system enables the water to be reused up to seven times for production.
5. Carbon emissions: Gmund is able to produce paper with zero CO2 emissions.
6. Recyclability: At the end of life this material can be recycled, is biodegradable and certified compostable.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
7. Functionality: Bio Cycle is positioned to make better use of local and regional waste flows. It also aims to replace a proportion of virgin cellulose fibres with alternative sources ensuring the best use of raw materials available on hand.
8. Finishing: Recommended for offset, laser, inkjet, letterpress, silkscreen, blind embossing, hot foil embossing and stamping but please note that any finishing technique should be adapted to suit the unusual surface of the paper.
9. Weights: 100, 120, 300, 600 gsm (available weights are subject to off-the-shelf colour)
10. Applications: Packaging, brochures, books, magazines, swing tags, marketing collateral, greeting cards, business cards, folders and more.
11. Sustainable story: Conservation of natural resources were the drivers in creation of this collection.
A link to the manufacturer’s website can be found here.
If you like what you see, and require further information on any of the papers featured in our series, please contact info@nirvanacph.com. We’ll be more than happy to help you tell your brand’s sustainable story.
Posted 01 December, 2020 by Katie Kubrak