Paper Releaf

This Ukrainian start-up has set itself the challenge of producing paper without cutting down trees. Global demand for paper and cardboard is rising dramatically, year on year, as industries try to move away from their dependence on plastic, but millions of hectares of forest are being lost to meet these growing needs. Releaf Paper's mission is to manufacture ecological paper from biological waste without harming the environment. Valentyn Frechka, CTO, came up with the idea of replacing cellulose with dead leaf fibers, which are just as much a source of cellulose as wood. PaperLeaf's main product is kraft paper used for packaging, but its plants in Urkaine produce sacks, cartons and all kinds of food and industrial packaging.

Releaf's partners today include Canopy Planet and the WWF, and its customers include international brands such as L'Oréal, Chanel, Schneider Electric, Samsung, Weleda and Ariston.