Organic spice producer adopts AI-developed paper packaging

In a significant move for the sustainable packaging sector, organic spice manufacturer Foodie & Friends has successfully integrated Hazelsun, a high-performance, paper-based barrier solution developed by Hamburg-based startup one.five.

The transition marks a shift in a category traditionally dominated by non-recyclable plastic and aluminium films, proving that paper-based alternatives can now meet the stringent barrier requirements of sensitive food products like spices.

Unlike standard paper packaging, Hazelsun was developed using advanced AI technologies to ensure high-level protection against moisture, oxygen, and light. Crucially for spice producers, the material provides a robust barrier for essential oils and aroma compounds, preventing flavour loss throughout the shelf life.

Key advantages of the Hazelsun integration include:

• Decarbonisation: the transition enables a CO₂ reduction of over 30% compared to traditional petroleum-based PP films.
• Recyclability: the material is CEPI-certified and fully compatible with European paper recycling streams.
• Circular Materials: The fibres are sourced from agricultural residues — specifically leaves and stems from corn harvests — and the cellulose is produced using 100% renewable energy.
• Process stability: one of the material’s most critical commercial advantages is its ability to be processed on existing industrial packaging lines without modification, ensuring a reliable heat seal and stable production speeds.

For Foodie & Friends, whose products are distributed throughout Germany via denn’s Biomarkt and other organic outlets, the move was a strategic necessity to align their packaging with their organic ethos.

“What's the point of organic produce if it ends up being wrapped in plastic or aluminium, both of which involve immense CO₂ consumption?” said Dirk Siemenowski, founder and managing director of Foodie & Friends. “With Hazelsun, not only the product itself remains honest, but also the packaging.”

The success of this collaboration demonstrates that paper-based barrier packaging is ready for high-specification FMCG applications. Martin Weber, founder of one.five, noted that the project confirms packaging performance does not have to be compromised to achieve recyclability or process stability.