Silphie (cup-plant): a renewable raw material - also for the production of label paper
The silphie plant (also known as cup plant and silphium perfoliatum), also known as Danube silphie, is a fast-growing perennial plant that has so far been cultivated in Germany primarily for the production of biogas.
Silphie is harvested once a year and flowers perennially (10-15 years). Deep roots supply the soil with minerals and moisture and protect it from erosion. Due to the perennial culture, it absorbs large amounts of CO2, which it can bind in the soil via the root system in the form of humus. The plant's water consumption is low. It does not need fertiliser. In summer, silphie fields provide an important habitat for insects, birds and small wild animals. In this way, silphie plants promote native ecosystems and biodiversity.Thanks to regional silphie cultivation, transport routes can be saved, which significantly reduces the associated CO2 emissions.
How are high-quality labels made from flowers?
Using a novel biothermal process (steam explosion), the fibres of the plant are separated before biogas production and processed into a fibre suitable for paper production.
This is done completely without chemicals, and with little use of water and energy, as in a kind of "pressure cooker". The remaining plant components are utilised energetically and converted into biogas.
The fibres thus obtained from the silphie plant are high-quality natural fibres that are added to paper production as an ecological fibre alternative and enable stable sheet formation. This results in papers with high strength, ideal for the production of labels.
The silphie label paper consists of 35% silphie fibres (short fibre pulp) and 65% virgin pulp (FSC-certified long fibre pulp), from sustainable forest management.
For which applications are sustainable labels made from silphie paper suitable?
Labels made from silphie paper are ideal for labelling sustainable packaging solutions, for example folding boxes and moulded fibre parts, in the food and beverage, cosmetics and many other sectors.
The noble and natural appearance of the labels, where even individual fibres of the silphie plant are still recognisable, underlines the sustainability approach particularly well. They give ecological products that special "something".
Labels made of silphie paper are suitable for direct contact with dry, non-greasy foods. The adhesive is also suitable for rough cardboard and for circular labelling due to its strong adhesive force. It can also be used on cool or moist surfaces, which can be particularly important in the food industry.
The colour of the ecological paper depends on the raw material used and can therefore vary from batch to batch.
What are the arguments in favour of labels made from silphie paper?
- All-round sustainability from label to sales packaging
- Labels in a high-quality natural look
- High adhesion even on rough surfaces
- Suitable for direct food contact
- Perennial renewable raw material with high CO2 binding capacity
- Regional cultivation: share of imported wood pulp decreases
- Fibre extraction without chemicals thanks to "Steam Explosion"
- Label paper recyclable with waste paper
What are the advantages of HERMA labels made of silphia paper?
HERMA produces labels made of silphie paper for industrial requirements in the format of your choice, on rolls or as sheets.
Special label shapes that are ideal for your sustainable product are just as feasible as perforations in the label if the identification label is also to serve as a closure label.
We can print the silphie label material as desired using flexographic printing (for large print runs) as well as digital printing (small and medium print runs).
This creates sustainable and ecological labels that leave a natural and authentic impression thanks to their special kraft paper look, and are ideal for a consistent sustainable packaging strategy.
Silphie labels on rolls can be reprinted in thermal transfer printing with changing contents in the production process, for example with lot numbers, production and best-before dates.
Silphie labels on A4 sheets can be printed in all laser and inkjet printers, including colour printers. Ideal, for example, for promotions of sustainable products, incentives or for your business correspondence.
From label to sales packaging: sustainable all around
Silphie fibres are already widely used in the packaging sector. Cardboard packaging made of silphie fibres for natural cosmetics and tea, delicatessen or vegan products sends a clear signal to the consumer.
Silphie fibres are also used in so-called moulded fibre parts in which strawberries and other fruits are offered, egg cartons, cardboard trays for herbs and salads as well as cardboard trays for apples, pears and other larger types of fruit.
Due to its high strength, silphie material is also suitable for banding. Envelopes and folders as well as folding boxes are also made from this high-quality raw material.
The attractively coloured, pleasantly natural brown silphie label is an ideal match for this sustainable packaging, and ensures that the packaging makes a credible environmental statement.
The environmental friendliness of labels made from silphie paper:
The eco-balance of silphie paper is impressive: current scientific studies certify that silphie paper has clear advantages over conventional virgin fibre papers made from wood pulp.
Because of its rapid growth, the silphie plant contributes to CO2 sequestration and enables a more sustainable supply of raw materials.
Labels made from silphie paper can be recycled like conventional paper via the waste paper cycle.
