Eco-material made from organic grape waste
Gattertop Drinks Co is very excited to announce that in a bid to become a more sustainable business, all Eco-material made from organic grape waste, created by Studio 1850, use Crush - a new eco-friendly range of papers from Favini.
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The range uses agricultural process residues from organic products such as grapes, olives, kiwi’s and citrus fruits which replaces up to 15% of virgin tree pulp. We were very excited to hear about Favini, the Italian business at the centre of this ground-breaking innovation. So much so, we spoke to Justin Hobson of Fenner Papers to find out some more:Justin, please tell us about yourself, what you do and some more info about the company you work for.
I'm the Marketing Manager at Fenner Paper and joined in 1992. We are based in Tonbridge in Kent and are a 'paper merchant.' Acting as the 'middle men' who hold warehouse stock, buying from the manufacturing paper mills and selling to the printers. A small family-owned company employing fifteen people. For the last twenty years have been one of the leading players in creative papers.
Credit of Imagery: Bruce Head taken from Favini's 'Fruit & Nuts'
Gattertop Drinks Co has just rebranded and with sustainability in mind, made the decision to find interesting material. Please can you explain why the Crush range from Favini is so innovative and exciting?
The Favini paper mill is located in an area of northern Italy close to Verona. In 1992 Favini launched their first eco-friendly range called Alga Carta, a special paper containing seaweed.The result of a project instigated by the Italian government to find a technique to use the build-up of seaweed that was harming the ecosystem in the Venetian Lagoon. Favini patented the process and product of manufacturing paper using the waste material, where the algae is dried and then ground in a special mill, before being added to the paper.
At this time Fenner Paper have been introduced to Favini and there was a lot of media interest - I remember watching the paper being shown on Tomorrow’s World by Maggie Philbin!
It was this product that leads to the development of other products within the "Eco-Favini" range including Tree Free, made using only annual crops (bamboo, sugar cane and cotton) and without the use of tree fibres, a 100% recycled paper called Shiro Echo and eventually Crush. Arguably, Crush is the most important development, replacing up to 15% of virgin tree pulp with the waste from agro-industrial food processing.
Credit of Imagery: Bruce Head taken from Favini's 'Fruit & Nuts'
What was the driving force for Favini to create a material of this nature?
Having success with their existing eco products, they were looking to develop their expertise in processing other wood/tree substitutes. The mill is based in the industrial region for ingredient preparation. Processing domestically grown crops such as kiwis and olives together with roasting/processing of imported coffee.
Working with these processors, allowed them to source a wide range of different fibers. Most importantly ended life products, which used to end on landfill. Crush paper includes by-products from citrus fruits, grapes, cherries, lavender, corn, olives, coffee, kiwi fruits, hazelnuts and almonds.
These fibres are combined with 40% post-consumer recycled waste and the remainder is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified virgin fibres. One of the most important environmental aspects of this paper which should not be overlooked is transportation. 15% wood pulp that these agro-industrial residues are replacing would typically be shipped from the Americas, Scandinavia or the Far East.
Transportation is one of the most damaging aspects of paper production to the environment. The fact that 15% of the fibres used originates within a few hundred kilometres of the mill is a real environmental benefit.
Credit of Imagery: Bruce Head taken from Favini's 'Fruit & Nuts'
What are Favini's eco-credentials?
The mill has 6 product and process certifications in line with international standards and guidelines.
– EMAS, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, FSC®, and EKOenergy.
Through these certifications, Favini demonstrates its commitment to the high quality, safety and environmental compliance of its products and activities. In late 2020, Gattertop Drinks Co underwent a rebrand. One important part of that is the Eco-material from organic grape waste. Our brief from the start was to create something that not only showcased our spirits. But also had a nod to the history of the ancient orchards at Gattertop. Above all, we want to play our part in helping the environment and help us to promote sustainability.
We worked with Elaine Michell at Studio 1850 to create our new marketing assets. With our brand ethos in mind, Elaine very kindly put some thought into what we wanted to create.
“As a designer who is excruciatingly aware of the environmental impact and potential waste of commercial print and manufacture, and vast respect for the tactility of print."
There are always three steps the studio considers when creating for its clients:
- Longevity and quality: Will this item be treasured, or will it be immediately thrown away? If the latter, the project needs to be evaluated.
- Need: Does this item answer the client’s (and their audience’s) need in the best possible way.
- Materials: If we make it through the first two questions, then creating with the least environmental impact is key. Considering the choice of manufacturers, paper stocks, and even inks.’
When working with Gattertop Drinks Co, knowing these qualities are at the forefront of their business, and with the direct link to agriculture, it was a no-brainer to suggest the paper stock for their marketing assets as Favini’s Crush.
Crush is an incredibly sumptuous and generous stock, in the most dreamy natural colours (literally). Which is ecologically creating, and making with agricultural-industrial waste such as grape, kiwi, corn, and olives.
’ It’s these conscious considerations that not only alleviate an amount of environmental energy but also encourage stories and conversations between brand and audience.’
Eco-material made from organic grape waste, or any other sustainable source are the future!
