Development and distribution of alternative plant fibres (silphie, straw, paludi biomass) for papers and packaging.
OutNature GmbH
NeckarsulmNew on Amplifa
About OutNature
OutNature is a brand of the environmental services provider PreZero (Schwarz Group), based in Neckarsulm, and develops and markets alternative fibre materials from fast-growing plants for paper and packaging. From cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) grown in Germany, the silphie fibre is extracted using a specially developed biothermal process without the use of chemicals and with low water and energy requirements. Blended with virgin pulp or recovered paper, it is processed into papers and board grades (SilphiePaper, SilphieLiner, SilphieBoard) with a silphie fibre content of at least 35 %; industrial production together with Koehler Paper takes place in Greiz at a grammage of 130–330 g/m². Further raw material lines are cereal straw (project and joint paper LEIPA Synergy with LEIPA) and paludi biomass from rewetted moors. The papers are used in the food and non-food sectors, among others by Lidl, Kaufland, Lenor and the honey manufactory WFC; remaining plant components are used for energy in biogas plants.
- Site
- Neckarsulm
- Processes
- Biothermal process for silphie fibre extraction with fibre finishing, Silaging process for preservation of silphie (silage), Production of paper and board with silphie fibre content (blending with virgin pulp or recovered, Extraction of straw fibres for paper and packaging applications, Extraction of fibres from paludi biomass for paper and packaging, Biogas generation from remaining plant components (fermentation substrate), Development and distribution of alternative fibre materials (silphie, straw, paludi biomass), Distribution of papers and board with silphie fibre content (35 %)
- Materials
- Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), Silphie fibre, Cereal straw (straw fibre), Paludi biomass (reeds, cattails, sedges), Virgin pulp, Recovered paper, SilphiePaper, SilphieLiner
- Certificates
- FSC Chain of Custody (FSC Mix)
- Industries
- Paper and packaging industry, Food packaging, Non-food packaging, Food retail, Cosmetic packaging
- 01
Cultivation and harvesting of cup plant
- 02
Silaging process for preservation (silage)
- 03
Biothermal process for fibre extraction
- 04
Fibre finishing
- 05
Blending with virgin pulp or recovered paper at partners (paper manufacturing)
- 06
Distribution of paper and packaging grades
- 07
Consulting and development of customer-specific packaging solutions
- 08
Biogas generation from remaining plant components
Raw Materials and Processes
Cup plant (silphie fibre)
Regionally grown, perennial energy plant from which fibres for paper and packaging are extracted using a biothermal process.
Cereal straw (straw fibre)
Agricultural residue that provides fibres for paper and packaging applications without requiring additional land.
Paludi biomass (reeds, cattails, sedges)
Fibre raw material from wet or rewetted moorland as part of paludiculture.
Virgin pulp
Conventional virgin fibre used for blending with silphie fibres in paper grades.
Recovered paper
Recycled fibre processed into papers and board in combination with silphie or straw fibres.
Locations
Neckarsulm
DEHead office, development and distribution; straw fibre plant under construction (turnkey handover July 2026)
- Materials
- Silphie fibre, straw fibre, paludi biomass
- Straw fibre plant (under construction)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biothermal process for silphie fibre extraction with fibre finishingKunststoff | – | – | – | – | Silphie fibres |
| Silaging process for preservation of silphie (silage)Kunststoff | – | – | – | – | Cup plant |
| Production of paper and board with silphie fibre content (blending with virgin pulp or recoveredKunststoff | – | – | – | – | Silphie fibres, Virgin pulp, Recovered paper |
| Extraction of straw fibres for paper and packaging applicationsKunststoff | – | – | – | – | Straw fibres |
| Extraction of fibres from paludi biomass for paper and packagingKunststoff | – | – | – | – | Paludi biomass, Reeds, Cattails, Sedges |
| Biogas generation from remaining plant components (fermentation substrate)Kunststoff | – | – | – | – | Silphie plant components |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straw fibre plant | OutNature | 1 | – | – | Neckarsulm / under construction (hall, turnkey handover July 2026) |
| Paper and board production line (silphie paper, 130-330 g/m²) | Koehler Paper | – | – | 2022 | Greiz, Thuringia |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Certification
The silphie paper grades carry the FSC Mix certification; the entire supply chain is audited according to FSC Chain of Custody (FSC-STD-40-004, V3.0) by GFA Certification GmbH. Environmental impacts are assessed through independent life cycle assessments (including Fraunhofer UMSICHT).
| Evidence | Neckarsulm |
|---|---|
| FSC Chain of Custody (FSC Mix) |
History
- 2020
German Packaging Prize in the category “New Material” for silphie packaging
- 2020-11
FSC certification (Chain of Custody) by GFA Certification GmbH for the production and trading of paper
- 2021
WorldStar Award of the World Packaging Organisation in the category “Packaging Materials & Components”
- 2021-11
Lidl and Kaufland launch products (organic cress) in silphie packaging in the fruit and vegetable category
- 2022-07
Production start of silphie-based paper and board grades together with Koehler Paper in Greiz (130–330 g/m²)
- 2024-04
Part of the “Allianz der Pioniere” (Alliance of Pioneers) of the toMOORow initiative for paludiculture value chains
- 2025-09
Joint straw fibre project with LEIPA in Schwedt/Oder
- 2026-03
Consolidation of competences with LEIPA under the name “LEIPA Synergy” (paper made from recycled and straw fibres)
- 2026-07
Start of the EU flagship project BIOWRAP with 13 international partners; construction start of the company's own straw fibre plant (turnkey handover)