Koehler Paper is showcasing the power of the circular economy through an innovative recycling journey that takes Loacker wafer packaging and gives it a second life—as premium packaging for luxury watches.
The flexible packaging paper, originally produced at Koehler’s high-tech facility in Kehl am Rhein, has been on the market for over 18 months. Developed as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic, the Koehler NexPlus® Seal Pure MOB paper is fully recyclable and has a significantly lower carbon footprint than plastic packaging.
Once converted into Doypacks by the SIT Group in San Marino, the paper is used by Italian confectionery brand Loacker to wrap its popular wafers. After consumption, the packaging enters a local recycling stream and is sent to Koehler Paper’s Greiz mill, where it begins a striking transformation.
In Greiz, a site with a papermaking history dating back to 1591, the used Loacker packaging—made from 100% secondary fiber—is dyed deep black using advanced coloring technology. This elegant recycled paper carries both the "Blue Angel" and EU Ecolabel certifications, attesting to its environmental performance.
The final chapter of the journey sees this premium black paper repurposed by a converter and delivered to luxury watchmaker Mühle-Glashütte in Saxony, where it becomes stylish, sustainable packaging for high-end timepieces.
From snack packaging to watch boxes, Koehler Paper’s closed-loop example highlights how sustainability and quality can go hand in hand. The company’s model sets a benchmark for resource efficiency and innovative thinking in the paper and packaging industry.
Koehler Paper, part of the Koehler Group, is a leading manufacturer of high-quality specialty papers. Headquartered in Germany, the company operates several production sites and combines over 215 years of papermaking tradition with modern innovation. Koehler Paper is known for its sustainable solutions, including flexible packaging papers designed to replace plastic, and is committed to driving the circular economy forward through recyclable and eco-friendly products.
