19 Nov. 2024: Releaf Paper, the world’s first manufacturer to produce sustainable pulp from fallen leaves, has launched its pilot production line and Innovation Center in Les Mureaux, near Paris, in France. This facility, co-funded by the European Union’s European Innovation Council (EIC), represents a €3.5 million total investment and marks a transformative shift in the paper industry by turning Parisian green waste into high-quality, recyclable packaging materials. This launch is especially meaningful as Releaf Paper celebrates its third anniversary this year, a milestone underscoring the company’s rapid growth and innovation in the eco-packaging space.
“This is more than just a factory – it’s a statement that a city’s waste can be a vital resource,” emphasizes Alexander Sobolenko, CEO of Releaf Paper. “By transforming fallen leaves into pulp, we’re proving that sustainable materials can be locally sourced, high-quality, and scalable. This pilot line is just the beginning; we’re aiming to change the way the world thinks about waste and create a truly circular economy in the process.”
The new Pilot Production Line showcases Releaf Paper’s patented technology, which uses an advanced combination of mechanical and thermo-chemical methods to process green biomass. This breakthrough technology enables Releaf to extract high-quality fibers suitable for a range of sustainable applications, from containerboards and eco-friendly packaging to hygiene products and bioplastics in future.
“Our technology is designed to work with diverse types of raw materials, from city foliage to agricultural byproducts, allowing us to adapt our methods for local resources and significantly reduce the ecological footprint of traditional papermaking”, explained Valentyn Frechka, Releaf Paper’s Head of Technology (see picture attached with Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Île-de-France region). This pilot can process up to 20,000 tons of leaves per year.
Environmental Savings
Releaf’s innovative process sets new standards in environmental impact:
• 0.066 kg CO₂ per kg during production (up to 70% lower compared to average* – global markets, open data),
• Only 0.002 liters of water per kg during production,
• <20 km logistics of raw materials,
• 1-year time of resource restoration,
• 55 days biodegradation time.
A Showcase of Innovation
“This launch event represents just the beginning of our mission to reshape the paper industry,” noted Alexander Sobolenko, CEO of Releaf Paper. “We’re honored by the support from the European Union and our partners, as well as the enthusiastic response from the community and environmentally conscious brands.”
The event was attended by over fifty representatives including political figures, and members of the French business community (L’Oréal, AXA, BPI, and Copacel). Special speeches were delivered by Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Île-de-France region, and Antoine Veron from Uber Eats. In addition, Releaf Paper honored organizations that made the greatest contributions to the establishment of the pilot line in France, including the financial partner EIC Fund, INP Grenoble Pagora, and the national investment agency Business France.
Collaboration with Uber Eats Paris; almost 100,000 Releaf bags to be deployed
The company has also launched a pilot project with Uber Eats in France. This collaboration, which provides recyclable, leaf-based packaging to select Parisian restaurants working on the platform, is helping to reduce single-use plastics in food delivery by using locally sourced materials.
Quentin Queyrel, General Manager for Uber Eats in France explains: “At Uber, we’re committed to helping businesses to shift to recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging, with a goal of shifting to sustainable packaging by 2030. The transition to more-sustainable food delivery packaging materials will require that we all work together and our partnership with Releaf is really one of the cornerstones in France. It’s almost 100,000 Releaf bags that are being deployed at restaurants to provide innovative, sustainable and affordable packaging to both business and customers.”
Looking Ahead
This pilot line is the first step in Releaf’s expansion strategy. Over the next five years, the company plans to establish additional recycling facilities across Europe, followed by expansion into North America and Asia. Future initiatives will explore further applications for green waste, including hygiene products, bioplastics, and renewable energy. In 2025, Releaf Paper will seek €8 million in a Series A funding round to support its growth.