From bamboo to cellulose for greener packaging

Alter Eco Pulp, a start-up company for the production of packaging and catering disposables from cellulose derived from agricultural processing waste - with a production plant in Tivoli (Rome) and linked to Alter Eco Disposable, an Italian operator of disposable catering products - and Forever Bambù, a leading European company for the planting and management of giant bamboo forests, have launched a new research project with the University of La Sapienza dedicated to the production of zero-impact cellulose.

The two companies have decided to work together to transform bamboo wood into cellulose pulp, using an organic process, in order to create green containers that can be recycled like paper when they are clean and completely compostable when they are dirty, like coffee cups. Last but not least, the creation of a completely virtuous project in terms of environmental impact in terms of CO2.

Mauro Lajo, CEO of Forever Bambù, commented:

This is a very ambitious project, but one that is absolutely achievable. The studies we have been carrying out with La Sapienza for the past year on the organic and biodynamic cultivation of bamboo are the best basis for thinking about achieving this great goal.

Claudia Corazzi, Sole Director of Alter Eco Pulp, added:

The experience gained by our R&D team in other areas, such as the production of cellulose from straw using an organic method, makes us very confident about the outcome of this further experiment. For us, this new combination has several advantages, the most important of which is the zero CO2 emissions associated with importing the material for processing. The renewable and non-seasonal nature of bamboo means that biomass is always available: truly a revolution that we are excited to see come to fruition.