Mondi has completed the transition to polyethylene (PE)-free wrappers for its Mondi-branded cut-size paper produced at Mondi SCP in Ružomberok, Slovakia, marking a major step in its shift toward more sustainable paper packaging.
The company’s Neusiedler mill in Austria will follow in 2026, expanding the rollout of paper-only ream wraps across its European operations.
The new wrappers, available in matt and glossy finishes, will be used for Mondi’s leading office paper brands, including NAUTILUS®, BIO TOP 3®, IQ, MAESTRO®, Niveus®, Color Copy and DNS®. By removing the PE layer traditionally applied to cut-size ream wraps, Mondi’s paper-only solution offers improved recyclability and easier fibre recovery, eliminating the need to separate plastic from paper during the recycling process.
Mondi estimates that the switch to PE-free packaging will eliminate approximately one kilogram of plastic per tonne of finished cut-size paper, supporting circular-economy principles and reducing the environmental footprint across its Slovak and Austrian production sites. Market tests conducted across both mills show that the PE-free wrapper performs on par with PE-coated alternatives, maintaining product protection, print quality and visual appeal.
The PE-free wrapper is the result of Mondi’s recent R&D and process optimisation efforts. Internal testing and customer trials confirmed that the new solution meets performance requirements for wrapping strength, storage and end-use conditions.
“Our move to PE-free wrapping is more than just packaging optimisation; it reflects our strong commitment to sustainability. Customers can continue to rely on the same high-quality paper they know, now delivered in a wrapper that offers significantly improved recyclability,” said Bernhard Cantzler, Marketing & Sales Director, Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper.
Mondi is also extending the PE-free option to Customer Owned Labels (COLs). Brands produced at Mondi Neusiedler will have access to both matt and glossy finishes, while Mondi SCP will offer a matt option, enabling customers to highlight the PE-free feature on their own packaging.
With this transition, Mondi reinforces its position as a leader in sustainable paper solutions and advances its efforts to reduce plastic use across the value chain.
Mondi is a global packaging and paper group offering sustainable, fibre-based solutions for a wide range of applications. The company operates mills and converting facilities across Europe and beyond, focusing on circular design, resource efficiency and low-carbon innovation to support customers’ sustainability goals.
