MxG Fiber

Miscanthus tableware / Source: MxG Fiber

CelluloseCompostableFood & BeverageFood GradeFreezer SafeLightweightMicrowave SafeMoulded FibreMxG FiberNorth AmericaOven SafePackagingRecyclable

WHAT WE SAY:

Moulded fibre is quickly becoming the go-to packaging choice for companies looking to move away from plastic, but a surge in popularity is leading to scrutiny of the fibres' source. Each cellulosic fibre has pros and cons but MxG Fiber is weighted heavily towards the pros.

It is manufactured from miscanthus, a new player in the moulded fibre game which is hardy, sequesters carbon efficiently, can be grown without lots of agricultural inputs and can improve the health of overworked soils. Plus, as expected, products made from it are compostable and recyclable. Developed by a startup and now in the hands of moulded fibre manufacturing giant Genera, this is a product which looks likely to scale at lightning speed.

MxG Fiber

WHAT IS MXG FIBER?

MxG Fiber moulded pulp products are made from the non-food crop miscanthus, which is grown in the US in proximity to manufacturing facilities.
It was developed by namesake company MxG Fiber, which grew from Aloterra, the company which gained USDA approval for large-scale miscanthus planting in 2010.
Championed for its carbon sequestration, miscanthus is also a rapidly renewable fibre feedstock, which performs in an equivalent manner to wood fibre feedstock.
The MxG Fiber product range focuses on takeaway tableware and features clamshell containers, trays, plates, lids and bowls. Bespoke products are also available.
The packaging is freezer safe, microwavable and suitable for uses up to 175 degrees celsius.
At end-of-life, MxG Fiber is compostable under industrial conditions and can be recycled in the paper waste stream.
Available to the US market, MxG Fiber products are produced from US-based crops and manufactured in the US.
In 2022, MxG Fiber was acquired by Genera, the largest integrated manufacturer of non-wood agricultural pulp and Moulded fibre products in North America.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Compostable
Food Grade
Freezer Safe
Lightweight
Microwave Safe
Oven Safe
Recyclable

INDUSTRY:

Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

In the United States, the food delivery market more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the rise of takeaway food comes the rise of plastic containers.
Takeaway food containers and wrappers are the third most common type of global ocean litter.
Materials typically used for takeaway containers include Styrofoam, polypropylene and polyethylene. While plastics have a low chance of being recycled anyway, food contamination means they are even more likely to be rejected from recycling facilities.
The compostable, biodegradable and recyclable nature of MxG Fiber containers and tableware aims to cut down on the plastic waste entering the environment.
MxG Fiber first came to life under Aloterra, which launched in 2010. Due to the increased demand for moulded fibre and Paper packaging, alternative (and locally produced) feedstocks are required to reduce the pressure on wood sources, and the company saw an opportunity in miscanthus.
Aloterra received funding from the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Programme for the establishment of miscanthus. It planted over 20,000 acres of miscanthus in four Midwest states and operated from three US manufacturing facilities.
Miscanthus can capture 2.35 tonnes of CO2E per hectare per year, and it can also be grown on land, which is unsuitable for food cultivation. A perennial crop, it grows back every year following harvest for around 20 years. Because there is no need for replanting, the carbon sequestration properties of miscanthus outperform those of other non-perennial crops.
In addition to carbon sequestration, miscanthus is shown to reduce soil erosion and soil runoff, has very low fertiliser requirements compared with traditional crops, and can be grown on poor quality land.
After harvesting, the miscanthus is mechanically pulped and a 100% bio-based spray or additive is used for water and grease resistance.
Colour can be added to MxG Fiber products directly during production and it is possible to print onto the fibre.
MxG Fiber was acquired by Genera in July 2022. The product will sit alongside Genera’s Earthable moulded fibre range of tableware, which is manufactured from crops, such as switchgrass and wheat straw.
The unique position of both managing feedstock and manufacturing means Genera can offer complete transparency and traceability from field to product for MxG Fiber products.
While 95% of other US market, fibre-based packaging features an imported element in the form of crops, additives, or the finished product itself, MxG Fiber is a domestic product. Before acquisition, the manufacturer claimed the products represented a 67% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with equivalent products imported to the US from China.
At the end of their life, MxG Fiber products can be commercially composted as certified by BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) and ASTM D6400.
In June 2022, Genera was acquired by Ara, which committed USD 200 million to expand its pulp and packaging businesses via the development of more production facilities. Once built, Genera will have the ability to produce more than 5,000,000 moulded fibre products, including MxG Fibre, every day.

KEY FACTS:

Miscanthus grass / Source: MxG Fiber

Clamshell trays / Source: MxG Fiber

20,000

Aloterra planted over 20,000 acres of miscanthus in four Midwest states and operated from three US manufacturing facilities.

2.35tn

Miscanthus can capture 2.35 tonnes of CO2E per hectare per year and it can also be grown on land, which is unsuitable for food cultivation.

67%

Before acquisition, the manufacturer claimed the products represented a 67% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with equivalent products imported to the US from China.

Key Questions to Ask:

Where are your consumers located?

Consider the end-user of your product. If they are not based in the US, the potential transport impact of relocating the finished product may mean other, more local feedstocks are more viable as a low-impact alternative.

How is the product manufactured?

Explore the energy sources used for production. Making moulded fibre products can be intensive, so renewable energy is always the best choice.

Is recycling a viable end-of-life option?

Like plastic containers, moulded fibre containers can also be rejected at recycling facilities if they are contaminated with food or grease. While the material is technically recyclable, you may need to add an educational slant to your marketing. Alternatively, you can emphasise the compostable qualities to nudge users in that direction.

What is your application?

Single-use tableware has become increasingly popular, even at eat-in locations. If your customer will be eating with you and leaving their plates and containers behind, a reusable option will have the lowest impact over time.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Cocoa Paper Moulds

MATERIAL

From cocoa shell waste to greaseproof baking moulds that are certified compostable.

PureFiber

MATERIAL

Moulded fibre packaging solutions, produced from responsibly managed Nordic forests.

Evanesce Molded Starch

MATERIAL

Plastic-free food packaging made from starches and fibre – abundant, natural, raw materials that reduce our reliance on tree-based materials.

Refibr

MATERIAL

A moulded fibre food packaging solution for the Asian market, made from leftover bio-waste from the sugarcane and wheat industries.

MxG Fiber

WHAT WE SAY:

Moulded fibre is quickly becoming the go-to packaging choice for companies looking to move away from plastic, but a surge in popularity is leading to scrutiny of the fibres' source. Each cellulosic fibre has pros and cons but MxG Fiber is weighted heavily towards the pros.

WHAT IS MXG FIBER?

KEY PROPERTIES:

INDUSTRY:

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

In the United States, the food delivery market more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the rise of takeaway food comes the rise of plastic containers.

Takeaway food containers and wrappers are the third most common type of global ocean litter.

Materials typically used for takeaway containers include Styrofoam, polypropylene and polyethylene. While plastics have a low chance of being recycled anyway, food contamination means they are even more likely to be rejected from recycling facilities.

The compostable, biodegradable and recyclable nature of MxG Fiber containers and tableware aims to cut down on the plastic waste entering the environment.

MxG Fiber first came to life under Aloterra, which launched in 2010. Due to the increased demand for moulded fibre and Paper packaging, alternative (and locally produced) feedstocks are required to reduce the pressure on wood sources, and the company saw an opportunity in miscanthus.

Aloterra received funding from the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Programme for the establishment of miscanthus. It planted over 20,000 acres of miscanthus in four Midwest states and operated from three US manufacturing facilities.

In addition to carbon sequestration, miscanthus is shown to reduce soil erosion and soil runoff, has very low fertiliser requirements compared with traditional crops, and can be grown on poor quality land.

After harvesting, the miscanthus is mechanically pulped and a 100% bio-based spray or additive is used for water and grease resistance.

Colour can be added to MxG Fiber products directly during production and it is possible to print onto the fibre.

MxG Fiber was acquired by Genera in July 2022. The product will sit alongside Genera’s Earthable moulded fibre range of tableware, which is manufactured from crops, such as switchgrass and wheat straw.

The unique position of both managing feedstock and manufacturing means Genera can offer complete transparency and traceability from field to product for MxG Fiber products.

At the end of their life, MxG Fiber products can be commercially composted as certified by BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) and ASTM D6400.

In June 2022, Genera was acquired by Ara, which committed USD 200 million to expand its pulp and packaging businesses via the development of more production facilities. Once built, Genera will have the ability to produce more than 5,000,000 moulded fibre products, including MxG Fibre, every day.

KEY FACTS:

20,000

2.35tn

67%

Key Questions to Ask:

Where are your consumers located?

How is the product manufactured?

Is recycling a viable end-of-life option?

What is your application?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: