Packaging of the month: RECOU, sustainable packaging material made from grain husks
In our search for creative, sustainable packaging ideas, we found what we were looking for in a startup company from Stuttgart, Germany. With RECOU, PROSERVATION has developed a special packaging material that is not only versatile, but also a remarkable step towards environmentally friendly and functional packaging solutions. In the following, we would like to introduce you to what we consider to be a groundbreaking innovation.
What is RECOU?
RECOU is an ecological cushioning material that reliably protects breakable glass and porcelain products or electronic devices during transportation. It consists of grain husks. This is a by-product of the food industry. Grain husks are the natural coatings of cereal grains. They are husked from the grain right at the start of grain processing. This leaves large quantities of husks in the mills. In Germany alone, over 120,000 tons of spelt husks are produced as waste every year. Before PROSERVATION had the ingenious idea of creating a sustainable transport material from this, the grain husks were largely treated as useless waste. Various husks are suitable for the production of RECOU, such as those from buckwheat, spelt, oats, millet or rice.
How can the innovative packaging material be used?
The grain husks can be used as loose filling material, but can also be processed into various molded parts. For example, they are available as practical corners in several sizes for environmentally friendly corner and edge protection. The manufacturer PROSERVATION also has specific honey jar packaging in its range. Essentially, RECOU acts as a sustainable alternative to polystyrene or, in principle, EPS.
What makes RECOU special?
Of course, the environmental friendliness of RECOU stands out in particular. The material is made from plant-based sources, effectively recycles waste and is biodegradable. But it is also impressive in functional terms. While many other sustainable packaging alternatives reach their limits with heavy packaged goods at the latest, RECOU impresses with its enormous resilience. It is stable and shock-absorbent at the same time, making it suitable for heavy goods in particular. The material can also be shaped as required. This makes it possible to create individual packaging for different products from the grain husks.
Who is behind our Packaging of the Month in February?
Four long-time friends founded the company PROSERVATION in November 2022 with the aim of establishing packaging solutions that make both ecological and economic sense. With the launch of RECOU, a team now consisting of seven members has impressively succeeded in taking a major step in this direction and demonstrating that the protection of packaged goods can be combined with the protection of people’s natural livelihoods in an all-round sensible way.
RECOU: a sustainable packaging solution with trendsetting potential
RECOU represents a growing trend towards sustainable packaging materials and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene – without compromising on functionality. The innovation is an excellent example of how waste does not necessarily have to be garbage and how, with a creative mind, many things can become much more valuable than they first appear.