Paper’s roots can be traced back to Ancient Egypt and the use of papyrus as a paper-like plant-based writing sheet. The first true papermaking process was documented in China during the Eastern Han period (25–220 AD), but it wasn’t until the 11^th century that papermaking was brought to Europe.

Since then, changes in the raw materials, manufacturing, and its structure and strength bring us to today, where paper is a wholly fiber-based product that can be used for many different purposes.

Luckily, you don’t have to travel as far or wait so long to see the latest innovations in paper. Paper was an important part of the London Packaging Week 2025 experience.

Future-forward legacy

A chief architect in the way paper is viewed and used by the packaging industry today is James Cropper (H56). With a history dating back to the mid-19^th century, the company has positioned itself at the heart of today’s papermaking industry in the UK and internationally.

This includes being the first company to develop colored paper almost 170 years ago. This heritage has been reinforced by Coloursource, a portfolio of 50 vibrant colored colours. As Coloursource papers are available in nine weights and 36 embossings, the portfolio is suited for diverse applications, ranging from stationery to retail bags and packaging to archival materials. For projects that demand bespoke colors, James Cropper’s color lab also offers a market-leading colour matching service that can develop custom shades.

As well as celebrating color, James Cropper has a long-standing passion for developing and producing the finest natural and renewable materials. With a strategic goal focused on sustainable growth, lightweighting, decarbonization, upcycling, and recycling are all important elements in the work to make paper the most creative and circular packaging material. Take its CupCycling  initiative for example, whereby coffee outlets, cafés, retailers, and other businesses can send used paper cups to be recovered and repurposed as bespoke luxury packaging papers and molded fiber products.

Also dating back to the 1800s and with deep knowledge and vast experience of papermaking is Gmund Paper. The company’s papers are manufactured at a dedicated production site in Gmund at Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian region of Germany, with over 100,000 different types of paper available. They are supplied in a variety of textures, colors and materials, such as hemp, cotton and other fast-growing fibers. 100% recycled papers, under the Gmund Used collection, and the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Silver certified Gmund Colors collection, exemplify the company’s commitment to sustainability.

Remake, for example, is FSC certified, recyclable and biodegradable. This paper includes by-products from the leather-making process that replace up to 25% of the tree cellulose required. A further 40% of the raw material used comes from post-consumer recycled (PCR) fiber and cellulose from managed forests. The paper has a soft and velvety tactile feel that makes it perfect for luxury packaging for high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Benetton, and Vivienne Westwood.

Refit is made using waste from wool and cotton textile manufacturing processes, as well material from worn out jeans in the case of Refit Denim, which has a stonewashed color and texture that replicates the look and feel of your favorite old pair of jeans.

All Refit papers include over 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled waste, of which 25% is derived from wool, cotton or denim fibers.

Modern thinking

Continuing the innovation coming out of Italy is Fedrigoni, a global leader in the production of pressure-sensitive materials for labels for wine and the European leader in the production and sale of special papers for graphic design.

Continuous investments in R&D and a relentless drive toward innovation has resulted in Fedrigoni’s products being completely recyclable. The company exclusively uses pulp from forests managed in accordance with internationally-recognised sustainable forestry schemes.

The recent acquisition of Papkot has doubled down on this commitment and accelerated Ferigoni’s role in the transition to plastic-free packaging.

Papkot has pioneered a proprietary coating platform offering an alternative to traditional plastic coatings and biopolymer barriers. The new coating gives packaging high protective properties, such as resistance to water, grease and oils or even glycerol, while being fully recyclable and biodegradable at an industrial scale.

Papkot’s technology is based on a nanostructured and fully recyclable material, which is also free from harmful substances like PFAS. Papkot coatings have been extensively validated across a wide range of paper substrates, including virgin and recycled fibers. Ongoing industrial trials are further expanding compatibility to meet the diverse needs of converters and brand owners.

The goal with this technology is to meet growing demand from major food and consumer goods brands for monomaterial flexible packaging, as well as to extend its application into new areas.