one.five, a Hamburg-based provider of sustainable packaging solutions developed using modern AI technologies, is enabling the organic spice manufacturer foodie & friends to use a paper-based barrier packaging. Packed in this way, the products are available throughout Germany at the denn's Biomarkt chain and many other organic stores. 

The Hazelsun material used is recyclable in the waste paper stream and replaces previously used spice packaging, part of which was not recyclable. Hazelsun fibers are sourced from agricultural residues such as leaves and stems. The cellulose is produced using 100 percent renewable energy. Hazelsun is CEPI-certified, compatible with European paper recycling streams, and enables a CO₂ reduction of over 30% compared to petroleum-based PP films.

The requirements for spice packaging differ from those of other fast-moving consumer goods. Aroma compounds and essential oils must be reliably protected. In addition, the material must provide sufficient barriers against moisture, oxygen, and light.

 “Hazelsun was developed to meet the barrier requirements of sensitive foods with a recyclable paper solution. The material can be processed on existing industrial packaging lines without modification and enables reliable and tight heat sealing. Collaboration with foodie & friends has shown that spice packaging can technically be converted to paper without compromising packaging performance or process stability,” says Martin Weber, founder and managing director of one.five.

From the foodie & friends perspective, the packaging must meet the same sustainability standards as the product itself. “What’s the point of organic produce if it ends up being wrapped in plastic or in aluminum, both of which involve immense CO₂ consumption in production? That’s exactly the question we asked ourselves, and we found a sustainable solution. That’s why we rely on Hazelsun, which is made from agricultural residues from the corn harvest. This results in packaging that is not only recyclable in waste paper, but also particularly environmentally friendly. In this way, not only the product itself remains honest, but also the packaging," says Dirk Siemenowski, founder and managing director of foodie & friends.

The implementation of Hazelsun at foodie & friends is an example of how paper-based barrier packaging is increasingly entering areas that were previously dominated by plastic. Due to its technical performance and integration into existing machine environments, the material offers new options for manufacturers who need to meet both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.