Key facts
- Favini, an Italian paper mill, uses agricultural and textile waste to produce eco-friendly paper.
- Recovered materials constitute 10-40% of the final product, which is used for luxury papers, tote bags, and packaging.
- The company has experimented with over 500 biomass types, scaling up about 5% for industrial production.
- Favini's first eco-paper, Alga Carta, made from algae, was patented in 1992.
- Coffee bean silverskin is among the by-products used, with one collaboration resulting in 60,000 premium shopping bags.
- Eco-friendly papers account for 10% of Favini's annual turnover and are priced competitively.
An Italian paper mill, Favini, is pioneering the use of agricultural and textile waste to produce luxury paper, aiming to reduce pressure on forests. The company, celebrating its 120th anniversary, was among the first globally to industrialize eco-friendly paper production using alternative fibers.
Favini's Research & Development Head, Giacomo Berton, stated that they are currently working with residues like tomato skins and corn, having experimented with over 500 biomass types, with only about 5% proving scalable for industrial production. Recovered materials, ranging from almond and citrus by-products to grapes and leather scraps, constitute 10-40% of the final product, which is used for luxury papers, tote bags, and high-end packaging.
The company's 'Crush' range, created using 14 different waste materials, exemplifies how discarded materials are upcycled into new raw materials. This initiative began in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the development of Alga Carta, an eco-friendly paper made from algae, patented in 1992, driven by the vision to restore the Venice lagoon.
Andrea Favini, Export Sales & Marketing Director, noted that while eco-friendly papers remain a niche market in Europe, they represent the company's fastest-growing segment, accounting for 10% of its annual turnover, with prices comparable to traditional high-quality papers. A key challenge is ensuring a steady supply chain, with around a dozen companies supplying by-products. Coffee roaster Dersut, for example, supplies coffee bean silverskin, which was used to produce 60,000 premium shopping bags. This collaboration earned Dersut the Sustainable Company 2025 award.
Gabriele Rostellato, Production Manager at DUEGI Packaging, a Favini partner for 30 years, reported a 300% increase in purchases from Favini, driven by customer demand for craftsmanship and sustainability. Favini's eco-papers are designed for high performance in printing and converting, merging sustainability with aesthetic quality.