Koehler Paper Launches Campaign to Promote Recyclable Paper in Food Packaging

Koehler Paper has initiated a significant communication campaign aimed at highlighting the potential of paper as a fully recyclable packaging material for food manufacturers and policymakers. Launched on April 15 in Berlin’s Government District, the campaign coincided with the first reading of Germany’s Packaging Law Implementation Act (Verpackungsdurchführungsgesetz) in the Bundestag.

This initiative aligns with the European Union’s stringent recycling targets outlined in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to reduce packaging waste across the bloc. Koehler Paper emphasizes that these regulations make fiber-based materials increasingly vital for brands seeking compliant alternatives to plastics, especially in food categories where recyclability is under scrutiny.

At the Berlin launch, Koehler showcased an oversized origami cat, supported by mobile LED billboards, to attract public and political attention to the recyclability of specialty papers and the necessary policy conditions for their adoption in food packaging. “Next to politicians, it’s consumers who have the power to decide which recyclable packaging materials will make their way to our shelves,” stated Philipp Prechtl, Chief Strategy Officer of the Koehler Group. He stressed the collective responsibility to promote recyclable paper solutions.

Prechtl is set to brief media and stakeholders on April 16 about the sustainability benefits of paper-based packaging and the current legal classification of paper for food and drugstore applications. Koehler asserts that regulatory clarity is crucial for broader industry adoption, particularly for barrier-coated papers intended to replace flexible plastics.

The “Pack It With Paper” campaign will continue through 2026, featuring a combination of digital outreach and a nationwide tour of public installations. Following its Berlin debut, the origami cat will appear at interpack in Düsseldorf from May 7-13, before visiting major food retailers across Germany. The tour will conclude in the autumn at a recycling center, symbolizing the circularity message with a symbolic “rebirth” of the mascot.

For food manufacturers facing increasing legislation and retailer demands for recyclability, Koehler’s campaign represents a renewed effort from fiber-based packaging suppliers to establish paper as a viable, scalable solution for sustainable food packaging.