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Name of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
Natural paper from fallen leaves
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URL of a video introducing the work（under 5 minutes）
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PImCbFuJAhY&t=14s
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Detailed explanation of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
Releaf Paper developed its own patented technology of processing fallen leaves info fibers. Using combination of mechanical, thermal and chemical treatment, we not only dispose green wastes, but also ensure source of sustainable raw-materials for paper & packaging industries.
Rethinking leaves
Leaves in cities are biological waste that needs to be disposed of safely. Burning leaves catastrophically disrupts the nitrogen-oxygen ratio, as the air is polluted with carbon monoxide and other harmful gases that harm nature, animals and, of course, people.
At the same time, leaves are a source of pulp, which is used to make paper. For us, this is a valuable and affordable raw material, and entire infrastructures have been created in cities to collect it. Leaves regenerate quickly and are available all year round. And most importantly, the fibres of the leaves have paper-forming properties.
While half of the world is concerned about the global problem of deforestation, Releaf Paper has developed its own unique technology for making paper from green waste fibres.
European cities generate tens of thousands of leaves every year, and municipal services create an entire infrastructure to collect them. The leaves they collect are transferred to our processing centers located in close proximity to the partner city. In this way we receive a huge amount of raw materials for our production.
Leaves are cleaned from foreign objects by washing and drying on industrial equipment. By further granulating and storing the raw material in big bags, we solve the issue of its year-round storage and solve the problem of seasonality.
And finally, we manufacture fiber products using our own unique technology, which involves minimal use of water and chemicals to achieve a superior product.
The company was born in 2021 in Ukraine as a result of the collaboration of a talented scientist and a successful entrepreneur. At the same time, the first launches took place at a test mini-production facility. In 2022, the company opened an office in France and began to set up its own production. Releaf Paper actively uses contract mills in Ukraine and the EU to produce paper and packaging under Releaf’s technology.
Started as a research project by a 16-year-old schoolboy, in 5 years Releaf Paper has grown into an international dynamic startup with offices in Paris and Kyiv and global ambitions.
In 2021 we have been recognised by WWF, in 2022 we have been supported by Google for Startups, in 2023 we received 2,5M euros of support from European Innovative Council. Same year we became finalists of LVMH Innovation Award, Sustainability Award, EBRD Green Voucher. In 2024 our invention became 2nd best in EU According to European Patent Office.
Our first customers are: L'Oreal, LVMH, Samsung, Logitech, Nestle, Weleda, NYX, BNP Paribas. -
How does your work address the 3 P’s (for Planet, for People, for Profit) for Sustainability?
We believe that trees should grow in the forest, humanity should breathe clean air, and paper should be made from green wastes. Therefore we are making packaging with a great respect to resources and environment.
Releaf Paper follows sustainability – from the raw materials we use, the technology behind the processing, and in saving resources during production. All this makes our products sustainable and their impact on the environment, including carbon dioxide emissions, minimal. In addition, by using green waste fibers, we meet the growing demand for paper packaging, thereby reducing deforestation. This, in turn, gives an additional positive impact of our solution.
We produce pulp and fiber-based packaging from plant wastes with the least possible impact on the environment:
1-RENEWABLE - Made from fibers of quickly renewable fallen leaves;
2-FOREST FRIENDLY - No wood pulp used during production;
3-CO2 SAVING - Only 0,066 kg CO2 per kg during production;
4-RECYCLABLE - In standard paper waste stream.
Releaf Paper Supports The UN's SDGs:
#9 industry, innovation, infrastructure
#10 sustainable cities and communities
#11 responsible consumption and production
#12 climate action -
Keywords
#sustainable #biodegradable #material
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If you have a website for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
https://www.releaf-paper.com
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If you have a social media account for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
https://www.instagram.com/releafpaper/
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Special Prize Question 1: "Empowering nature to create a new loop”: How does your work strengthen or support nature’s ability to capture and convert waste into valuable resources? How does your work advance industry practices by introducing nature-positive alternatives?
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Special Prize Question 2: “Regenerating ecosystems”: In what inspiring ways does your work contribute to the restoration and stabilization of natural ecosystems?
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Special Prize Question 3: “Education and storytelling”: How does your work make complex bioeconomy concepts accessible and engaging?
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Natural paper from fallen leaves
Others
Releaf Paper developed its own patented technology of processing fallen leaves info fibers. Using combination of mechanical, thermal and chemical treatment, we not only dispose green wastes, but also ensure source of sustainable raw-materials for paper & packaging industries.
