Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Ellepot and OrganoClick have created an organic paper pot to grow plants sustainably

AHLSTROM-MUNKSJÖ OYJ PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 22, 2022 at 15:00 EET 

Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Ellepot, and OrganoClick have partnered to provide 100% biobased and biodegradable solutions to the horticulture market. Organic 2.0 paper pot is an entirely organic-based solution to grow crops on an industrial scale. The new product has allowed the companies to enter the organic crop segment, which is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. 

Organic 2.0 results from a close collaboration between Ellepot, OrganoClick and Ahlstrom-Munksjö's R&D team. After years of co-development, the three companies created a sustainable and more economical solution to grow plants by using paper pots planted directly into the soil. The pots degrade away after time which allows for the crop's roots to penetrate through the media and supports the healthy growth of the plants. Organic 2.0 paper pot consist of 100% fully compostable and biodegradable materials and has a decomposition time of 6 to 8 weeks. 

"At Ahlstrom-Munksjö, we are always looking for ways to innovate further in sustainability. By partnering with Ellepot, we have been proud to serve the horticulture market together through their sustainability-driven business model. Now, after several years of collaboration, we are excited to have found a way to drive sustainability innovation even further through this game-changing new product. We aim to continue our collaboration into new market segments, where we believe this new product will open up opportunities for all of us," says Pierre Mary, VP, Nonwovens and Abrasive, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Filtration and Performance business.  

OrganoClick delivers the biobased and biodegradable binder material for Organic 2.0, Ahlstrom-Munksjö produces the nonwoven paper, and Ellepot creates the final product.

"Working with our suppliers in co-developing smarter materials for the Ellepot customized solution supports our vision to help customers improve production efficiency, optimize handling and deliver increased yields and lower costs of goods produced. Minimum effort, maximum impact being the key feature to a smarter solution, we trust the co-development will continue to provide new and sustainable materials for the future," says Lars Steen Pedersen, CEO Ellepot A/S, Denmark.

"We are very happy with the collaboration with Ahlstrom-Munksjö and Ellepot, which has resulted in a new fossil-free, and biodegradable nonwoven material used in Ellepots plant pot. Working together with partners in the whole value chain is key when bringing new eco-friendly products to the market. We are proud of that we, by joint efforts, have been able to replace current synthetic binders in the material with our 100 % biobased and biodegradable binder", adds Mårten Hellberg, CEO OrganoClick. 

Organic 2.0 has been signed up for Sustainability Advancement Award, Short-Life Product Achievement Award and Nonwoven Product Achievement Award in the IDEA® Achievement Awards taking place this year. In addition, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Ellepot, and OrganoClick are already planning the next steps in the collaboration. The goal is to develop more synthetic-fiber-free products and expand into other organic crop segments which require longer degradation times, such as landscape or forestry. 

For more information, please contact:

Diego Luis Puerta, Sales Manager, Industrial Nonwovens, Filtration & Performance Solutions, tel. +33608517883, diego.puerta@ahlstrom-munksjo.com

About IDEA® Achievement Awards

Presented by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, the IDEA® Achievement Awards are presented every three years in conjunction with IDEA – The World's Preeminent Event for Nonwovens & Engineered Fabrics. The Awards recognize the best new product introductions in the following six categories: IDEA® Equipment Achievement Award; IDEA® Raw Material Achievement Award; IDEA® Short-Life Product Achievement Award; IDEA® Long-Life Product Achievement Award; IDEA® Sustainability Advancement Award; and IDEA® Nonwoven Product Achievement Award. 

Ellepot in brief

Ellepot A/S provides plant propagation equipments and products. The company offers machines, paper, and trays, as well as installation, training and online support services. For more information about Ellepot, visit: www.ellepot.com 

OrganoClick in brief

OrganoClick AB, based in Stockholm, Sweden, is a world-leading greentech company that sells biobased chemical formulations for modification of cellulose-based materials in the green way. Examples of products are biobased binders for paper and nonwoven and water repellents for textiles. Visit www.organoclick.com to explore more about OrganoClick. 

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering includes filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials, diagnostics and energy storage solutions, as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 2.7 billion and we employ some 7,800 people. Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com