The share of imports of disposable tableware in our country is small. The main importers, in addition to Huhtamaki (share - 18%), are Dopla S.P.A (Poland) and RPC Tedeco-Gizeh Kft (Hungary, Poland) - their shares are 15.4 and 12.1% of imports, respectively.
The main materials for disposable tableware are plastics (polymer materials) and paper. The ratio is 88-89 to 11-12%, respectively (Diagram 1). More than 40% of all disposable tableware are cups. Plates account for about 30%, cutlery for about 22% (Diagram 2).
Over the past 3-5 years, the share of disposable premium plastic tableware has increased significantly. These are original wine glasses, coffee cups and other tableware with an exquisite design. If at the end of 2009 the share of such cookware in the total market was no more than 3%, then by 2015 experts note its increase to 5-7% (according to various estimates).
Transportation of ready-made disposable tableware is unprofitable, so more than half of the sales accounted for in Moscow 5-7 years ago have been reduced; The market is developing quite rapidly in the regions. However, rising energy tariffs in last years was a deterrent.
Demand is maintained mainly due to new types of products, which include: straws for cocktails and juice made of hard plastic in a wide variety of colors and shapes, tablecloths, original designs of familiar dishes, dishes with images of fairy tale and cartoon characters (popular among children), as well as dishes with various inscriptions.
Experts note that each type of cookware has its own period of most active sales. For example, polystyrene glasses with a capacity of 200 ml are actively sold from April to September, glasses with a capacity of 500 ml - from May to July. Coffee cups and glasses made of polypropylene are in demand in cold weather
One of the most famous manufacturers of biodegradable tableware is Wasara (Japan). Among the leaders offering biodegradable tableware in Russia, the company Geovita (St. Petersburg) is well known. Its arsenal includes disposable and reusable products (including tableware) made from raw materials of plant origin: wheat straw, bamboo fiber, sugar cane, palm leaves. Today, such products can be purchased in the following chains: Azbuka Vkusa, Perekrestok, Globus Gourmet, Fix Price, etc. Packaging and dishes made from the same raw materials are offered by Picneco (Moscow region) and Ecovilka (Russia). There are quite a lot of manufacturers of plastic disposable tableware, for example, Introplastik (Orel), Atlas (Orel). Nizhny Novgorod), "Alcor" (Magnitogorsk). There are even more sellers, for example, Plast Mix LLC, Trial Market LLC, Pakstar Service LLC, Dezsnab-Trade LLC, etc.
Cost of business for the production of disposable plastic tableware
It is believed that entering the market for a new manufacturer of disposable plastic tableware will cost at least $500 thousand. But in reality, this is just the price of a new high-quality extruder made in Western Europe. If you are content with inexpensive used equipment, the cost of it will be $80-120 thousand. Plus, you need to purchase thermoforming machines (two, or preferably three) - each for $30-40 thousand.
So, the cheapest option will cost from $160 thousand to 180 thousand. But in this case, you will have to constantly incur significant costs for setting up and repairing equipment. That's not all. Theoretically, the extruder and two thermoforming machines should produce about 8 million cups per month. This is enough for a city with a population of 2-3 million people and an income of about $15 thousand. But this is only theoretical. In reality, expenses are much higher and income is lower. In addition, you need to invest in infrastructure and have a financial cushion in case something goes wrong. Typically, these costs are estimated at no less than the cost of the purchased equipment, that is, from $200 thousand to 500 thousand.
Plate manufacturers have a big problem selling them nine months a year (except summer), so manufacturers usually also produce food containers, coffee cups or glasses made of polypropylene.
Disposable tableware is actively consumed by:
stationary catering outlets – 42%, people going on picnics – 25%, open cafeterias – 20%, catering companies (lunch delivery) – 5%, restaurants, cafes – 5%, vending companies and salad producers, baked goods manufacturers – 3% (diagram 3).
Experts assume that the share of consumption of disposable tableware by catering companies will increase, since the catering segment has been developed to no more than a third of its potential capabilities. At the same time, the growth rate is about 15-20% per year (catering is in demand in any season: from January to March parties, gala dinners and other events are popular; from March to the end of May is the period of mass corporate events; in the summer months this can be done add weddings, picnics, outdoor recreation; autumn months– not the most active period, mainly filled with mass events organized by large companies, such as day hikes, sports competitions, excursions, etc.). The highest demand for catering companies occurs in December, closer to New Year's holidays– this, as they say, is a classic.
So, we see a fairly successful development of the market, where almost all traditions and new designs are in the hands of manufacturers of plastic tableware. Today, with all the shortcomings of such utensils, you can find alternative solution very difficult. However, the world does not stand still and more and more often we are learning about the spread of dishes that are considered safe from an environmental point of view and do not cause difficulties with disposal (which, unfortunately, cannot be said about plastic).
The widespread filling of the natural environment with waste polymer products, which persist for centuries, has led to the development of scientific directions that are tasked with creating an alternative to plastic utensils. First of all we're talking about about products designed for the fast food and establishments segment Catering(cafe, bistro, etc.). It is this area that is among the leaders in the consumption of food plastics.
A number of manufacturing companies have turned to paper. In this segment, the production leader was the Huhtamaki company (in Russia - Huhtamaki S.N.G. LLC, located in the Moscow region). But, given the cost of wood, the restoration of which on the planet is extremely slow, the price of paper tableware did not suit the majority of buyers. As a result, polystyrene cookware continued to lead in terms of purchase volumes. Unfortunately, in addition to hazardous production and disposal problems, it is not designed for hot food, as well as alcoholic beverages, and cannot be in contact with foods containing food acids for a long time.
In all of these cases, such dishes release toxic substances into the external environment, which tend to accumulate in the body, and later lead to a fatal outcome. Today, so-called biodegradable tableware is gaining momentum. The raw materials for such dishes are crushed plant fibers, such as bamboo, cork, wood, palm leaves, etc., and starch, such as corn, is used as a binder. After molding and drying such dishes, the resulting products are of sufficient rigidity, which serve faithfully for a long period, and when they become unusable, they can safely (without residues or harmful emissions) decompose in the natural environment.
Distinctive features of the Russian disposable tableware marketTHE TRUTH ABOUT THE ABBREVIATION OF PLASTICSIn 1988, the Plastics Industry Society developed a labeling system for all types of plastic. It consists of three arrows in the shape of a triangle, inside of which there is a number indicating the type of plastic. If the bottle has the number 1 in a triangle and PET written underneath it, this means that it is made of polyethylene terephthalate.
This raw material is recognized as hazardous for food use. To disposable plastic cups must be treated very carefully. If they have the Latin letters PS on them, it means the vessel is made of polystyrene. You can drink cold drinks from it, but you shouldn’t drink hot tea or coffee (with a temperature of +70 °C or higher). The same effect occurs if you pour a strong drink, such as vodka, into a polystyrene container.
Styrene accumulated in the body stimulates the development of liver cirrhosis. Polystyrene is used in the manufacture of thermal insulation boards for buildings, food packaging, cutlery and cups, CD boxes and other packaging ( cling film and foam), toys, dishes, pens and so on. The material is potentially hazardous, especially if burned, as it contains styrene.
Dishes made of polypropylene (PP marking) are safer. It can withstand temperatures up to +100 oC. Officially, polystyrene is considered safe for food use. But doctors again do not recommend drinking from “polystyrene” - you can disrupt kidney function and even go blind, which will be facilitated by the phenol released from the glass. Used in the automotive industry (equipment, bumpers), in the manufacture of toys, as well as in the food industry, mainly in the manufacture of packaging.
If there is no marking on the plastic, you can distinguish PS from PP by touch: polystyrene crunches and breaks, and polypropylene wrinkles.
PETE or PET– polyethylene terephthalate. Usually used for mineral water bottles, soft drinks and fruit juices, packaging, blisters, upholstery. Such plastics are potentially hazardous for food use.
PEHD or HDPE– polyethylene high density. Some bottles, flasks and, more generally, semi-rigid packaging. Considered safe for food use.
PVC or PVC– polyvinyl chloride. Used for pipes, tubes, garden furniture, flooring, window profiles, blinds, bottles detergents and oilcloths. The material is potentially hazardous for food use as it may contain dioxins, bisphenol A, mercury, and cadmium.
LDPE and PEBD– low density polyethylene. Tarpaulins, garbage bags, bags, films and flexible containers. Considered safe for food use.
OTHER or O– others. This group includes any other plastic that cannot be included in the previous groups. Polycarbonate is not toxic to the environment.
- The domestic market for plastic tableware, including disposable ones, despite a large number of of goods on supermarket shelves, mastered by no more than 40-45%. - Over the past 2-3 years, there has been an increase in the segment paper products in the disposable tableware market due to their environmental friendliness and ease of disposal.
- The demand for plastic, including disposable, tableware has a pronounced seasonality, therefore, in order to avoid equipment downtime in the autumn-winter period, various sales areas should be developed (wholesale and retail chains, catering, catering enterprises).
- When choosing disposable tableware, consumers give preference original design(opportunity to choose sets in the same color scheme, themed images for various holidays, etc.).
- The entry threshold for a manufacturer is quite high. Used equipment is not worth the investment, since constant breakdowns lead to losses and loss of time, which affects delivery times... It is difficult to modernize old equipment due to a shortage of components.
Biodegradable disposable tableware is suitable for both cold and hot foods and drinks. It does not break, does not burn your hands and eliminates repeated use. To make disposable eco-friendly tableware, only natural plant materials are used. The world's major fast food companies have completely abandoned single-use plastic tableware and switched exclusively to paper and biodegradable tableware. Bioware differs from plastic not only in the absence harmful effects on the human body, but also on our own aesthetically pleasing. It is pleasant to the touch, stiffer and, unlike plastic, does not break so quickly; when using hot food, it does not heat up so quickly, which means it does not burn your hands.
The disadvantage of such dishes is still the high cost of their manufacture, which primarily affects the price for the end consumer. It should be noted that today dishes made from biodegradable raw materials can not only be used for one-time purposes, but also have multiple uses. For example, the company Drivix offers environmentally friendly, biodegradable, reusable tableware made from bamboo.
The difference between reusable biodegradable tableware and disposable tableware is the manufacturing technology and various additives. Disposable tableware from renewable natural raw materials is manufactured according to a simplified scheme without the addition of a number of components. This leads to a reduction in price.
Considering the types of disposable tableware presented on the market today, it is worth noting that any tableware serves its own purpose and requires the right conditions production, storage, use and disposal. Failure to comply with the requirements leads to extremely unfavorable consequences, affecting the environment and the wallet of both the manufacturer and the end consumer.
The market prospects are enormous, especially in connection with the opening of a new direction represented by biodegradable products from renewable natural raw materials! Demand for tableware may be higher if the following conditions are met:
- the general growth of the general consumer culture (in this regard, manufacturers can remind about proper disposal with direct, visible text on the packaging or the dishes themselves);
- creating new tableware, whose use is slightly dependent on seasonal fluctuations and allows you to comfortably use such tableware at home.
Manufacturers of disposable tableware during periods of decline in consumer demand need to use existing equipment to produce other popular products. Many people use similar methods manufacturing companies, whose product range is aimed at different market segments at the same time.
About the production of plastic tableware
All technologies for the production of disposable plastic tableware can be reduced to two main methods:
molding (mass market class products);
injection molding (premium class).
The raw materials for manufacturing are polyester, polypropylene or polystyrene. In some cases, exclusively primary raw materials are used in the form of granules, in others, exclusively secondary raw materials are used in the form of processed powder. But the most common is “waste-free” production, consisting of 70% primary and 30% secondary raw materials.
Molding technology
During production by molding, the material goes through several stages - from pellets or crumbs to familiar products: cups, plates. Initially, the raw material is placed in an extruder, where, when heated and stirred, it acquires a liquid viscous consistency, which then enters the flat slot of the apparatus and is extruded in the form of a web (which is why the extruder is also called a flat-slot extruder).
Under the press, the web acquires a uniform thickness (about 2 mm), a certain width, and then the polypropylene tape is wound onto the shaft in the form of a roll. After this, the reel undergoes preheating in an oven, unwinds, and is placed in special molds. The molding of the dishes depends on the shape of the press, where the film hardens, acquiring a familiar appearance.
Under the pressure of an air stream, the cooled workpiece is blown out of the mold and enters a punching press, where the products are cleaned of excess elements. Waste (based on 1 ton of material, 48% of products and 52% of “cutting”) again enters the slot extruder (having previously gone through the grinding stage) and the production cycle is repeated from the beginning.
And the finished dishes enter the conveyor, where their edges are formed, logos are applied (if necessary), stacks are made, counting and packaging are carried out.
Casting technology
A similar production technology is used for the production of dense disposable tableware: coffee cups, cutlery, containers for food products, wine glasses, etc. Unlike the previous method, they do not place plastic tape, and the viscous heated mass, which under pressure takes the shape of the finished product, cools and hardens.
Dishes made using this method are thicker and more durable. Accordingly, its price category is an order of magnitude higher than that of molding. If it is necessary to add color to faceless plastic, at the stage of laying the raw materials, 1-2% of coloring substances that are safe for health are added to it.
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It is difficult to imagine that a technological revolution may occur in the furniture industry in the coming years. We are accustomed to surrounding our everyday life with natural materials - plastic scares off consumers with its “inanimate” properties. Chemists have not yet come up with a material that can replace wood.
The latest breakthrough in furniture production committed by the Germans at the beginning of the Second World War. Forced to save on resources, they invented a technology for producing boards from wood waste. In terms of physical properties, these boards did not differ much from solid wood, but they were significantly better in price. After the victory, the liberating countries appreciated the economical and very convenient technology. By the 60s, chipboard had become the most popular material in the furniture industry.
In 2004, Europe alone produced more than 40 million cubic meters particle boards. The main advantages of chipboard are low cost and comparative ease of processing. The boards are made from pressed large wood chips with the addition of thermosetting synthetic resin as a binder. A valuable raw material for chipboard is any low-value wood, both coniferous and hardwood. Moreover European manufacturers maintain the proportions - 80-90% of coniferous species and 10-20% of deciduous species. The global wood-based panel trade market will only be constrained by shortages source material. In a certain sense, it already exists; wood prices are constantly rising. The volume of deforestation is also increasing.
Thanks to the bureaucracy
A Kazakh developer is going to break into this market order that has been established for 50 years with the statement that his technology will make a number of existing methods chipboard production unclaimed. "Delta Form" is the name of a new material that currently exists only in samples of a few square centimeters in area. These are highly durable straw tiles. According to author Vitaly Khen, his technology covers a number of disadvantages of popular chipboards and fibreboards: moisture resistance, necessity additional processing surfaces, can only be used in a closed environment. In addition, these boards may contain phenol, which is harmful to humans.
The history of "Delta Form" began in the mid-80s at the Leningrad Forestry Academy, when Professor Gennady Tsarev found a unique binder for filler - absolutely harmless organic matter.
As you know, Soviet chipboard was of poor quality, largely due to non-compliance with filler preparation technologies. Soviet-made flake machines produced chips of different shapes, while imported equipment quickly wore out due to the barbaric attitude towards technology. The source material did not stick well and delaminated during pressing.
The binder invented by Tsarev somewhat reduced the problem of poor-quality gluing of dissimilar chips. At this stage, Vitaly Hen joined the technology. We agreed that Tsarev would deal with the scientific side, and a young specialist from Kazakhstan would handle the administrative issues. Wedging the rationalization proposal into the national economy of the USSR required remarkable energy. Soviet factories producing chipboards did not need a new binder in principle. They were afraid of the procedure for approving new GOSTs and changing technological cycles. The developers decided to promote the technology using a roundabout maneuver under the slogan “Expenses into income!”
“I started working on this technology in 1989,” recalls Vitaly Khen. “Then private entrepreneurship was allowed, there was an acute shortage of building materials in the country. We calculated that the profitability of producing our chipboard was about 800% at the market price. It was necessary to find suppliers raw materials." The inventors focused on timber industry enterprises. As a rule, they end up with a large percentage of waste: branches, bark, wood chips. "I went to negotiate in Vologda region. The director of the farm said that they have no waste, despite the fact that huge rotting piles of wood are visible. And he explains that we must work using waste-free technology, so we burn everything that remains. If you start producing something from this garbage, I will be fired or imprisoned,” says Hen. - A similar situation occurred in other farms. Most of all I remember the conversation with the director of the pulp and cardboard plant in Kyzylorda. The plant used Russian wood as a raw material, wood dumps were burned, and smoke stood throughout the city. He offered to buy garbage from them, and the director replied, “I won’t let you bourgeoisie make money from people’s blood,” and he continued to poison the city with smoke.”
Vitaly Hen had to look for other raw materials. The laboratory experimented with straw, but the results were poor: it often burned under hot pressure. Tsarev’s student suggested changing the binder and slightly changing the technology for preparing wood boards - they tested it on rice husks - the material turned out better in many physical parameters than chipboard. From that moment on, Hen began independently promoting “straw technology.” In the USSR waste Agriculture actually not recycled.
“My technology requires straw with a high gluten content - this could be rice shal, cereal stalks, cotton, in general, the main agricultural crops of Kazakhstan,” says the scientist, “and a biocatalyst that turns the heterogeneous ground mass of straw into a single composition. Afterwards technological process, the structure of the material differs from the structure of chipboard or fiberboard."
Straw Bomb
The material was approved by a council of specialists. The technology was accepted at the Academy of Sciences, where Delta Form was considered a breakthrough technology. Among the testers of the “straw slab” was Doctor of Technical Sciences Nikolai Buktukov. "This material is three times stronger than currently known chipboards, environmentally friendly. Made from waste (straw, husks), fireproof. Burns if you only hold it over a flame. Lightweight, with good heat and sound insulation. In addition, it is approximately 2-3 times cheaper than analogs made from chipboard and fibreboard,” Mr. Buktukov lists the advantages of Delta Form.
In Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, chipboard and fiberboard are produced with a high content of chemically active resins to ensure reliable gluing of wood filler. Clean methods of producing wood-based panels (without phenol) are on average 60% more expensive. Moreover, the production of high-quality resins is one of the components of the price of the material. In Delta Form, the price of the binder is determined only by the delivery of waste from the field that is of little value from an agricultural point of view. However, the filler itself does not have a nominal price. Now about the environment. In addition to the “pure” consumer properties, the base of the material is a rapidly renewable raw material - 1 year for full cycle restoration, which cannot be said about classical slabs, they somehow use wood, the maturation of which takes thirty or more years, and only part of the industrially developed raw materials is restored.
New physical properties actually wood material the developer received it by breaking the classic technological chain for the production of chipboard and fibreboard.
"Washing and drying are simple procedures, there is no yeast, no glue, simple separation technology, no steaming. All processes seem to take place in one cycle - with hot pressure in a closed circuit. During the processing, the straw seems to be half burned, resulting in a super-compacted semi-ash structure, which, as a result, is not afraid of moisture. The material does not swell, since all the fiber actually burns," explains Nikolay Buktukov. He believes that Delta Form can be used both as a roof and as walls.
“If you use this technology, then 1 square meter of European quality housing will cost no more than $100-150. Moreover, you can build both single-story and multi-story buildings. The walls can be made from “Delta Form” - an outer and inner slab, between them lay construction wool, the distance between the plates is 5-7 centimeters. The plate itself is very smooth, almost like glass, which does not require special costs for finishing interior walls. The house will be durable, warm, and environmentally friendly,” he says.
The new material also has technological superiority. What neither chipboard nor fibreboard can provide in principle is the elasticity of the feedstock. “Before processing, the consistency itself behaves like plastic - absolutely flexible, which allows you to stamp from it immediately finished goods any shape: doors, window frames, chairs, dishes. You can even make disposable tableware 2 millimeters thick,” explains Vitaly Hen.
Marketing outfit
The furniture industry in Kazakhstan is completely dependent on the import of wood construction materials. Chipboard and fiberboard are purchased in Russia and Poland. According to Russian statistical authorities, Russian woodworking companies exported 31,356 cubic meters of chipboard to Kazakhstan in 2004. According to many furniture makers, it is unprofitable to produce their own slabs - raw materials will still have to be imported. Only 4% of the republic's territory is occupied by forests, and only 1.8% is industrially suitable. Up to 70% of the required wood is imported. This puts local manufacturers at a disadvantage compared to Russian furniture makers. Domestic furniture makers have to work with more expensive material due to transport costs, add also a customs duty of 15%.
"Delta Form", according to Vitaly Hen, is capable of completely replacing imported wood boards- they are cheaper. There is plenty of raw materials for mass production. About 15 million tons of wheat are grown annually in Kazakhstan. The ratio of stem to grain is 3.5 to 1. About 50 million tons of straw can be produced from wheat alone. From one cubic meter of finished raw materials, Hen's technology allows you to obtain about 100 square meters. m of material 10 millimeters thick. Wheat raw materials alone have a production potential of 5 billion square meters. m of products.
“There is no need to build large factories, it is enough to launch mini-workshops with several lines with a capacity of 30-50 thousand square meters per year. Separately launch lines for slabs, doors, floor covering. One line costs approximately 200-250 thousand dollars, including minor modifications: my technology has a slightly different pressing system. Although if you produce your own equipment, it will initially cost less, technical solutions according to the equipment,” the inventor concludes.
Vitaly Hen prepared samples of his material using various equipment: in the laboratory of the Leningrad Academy, on factory machines, and also at home using blowtorch And homemade press. The technology has been proven. True, Delta Form has not yet been produced on an industrial scale, but the author is confident that his product will sooner or later become the most popular material in the furniture industry.
Production of disposable ECO-TABLES from straw and fallen leaves.
Any polymer material from which the most modern disposable tableware is made is practically incompatible with the environment. It decomposes over decades, releasing harmful substances, disrupting the balance and ecology of the soil. Until recently, environmentally friendly disposable packaging containers and utensils were rare and not found in everyday use. Today, serious production of eco-friendly dishes and packaging materials - trays and containers, which are supplied to the market on an industrial scale, is opening everywhere.
Thanks to modern technologies and development production capacity, the emergence of equipment for the piece production of such products on a small scale has made it possible to freely purchase environmentally friendly tableware at an affordable price. Today, ordinary wheat straw, which remains in the fields after harvesting, is used to obtain a new source material used for the manufacture of disposable tableware.
Advantages and characteristics.
The main advantage of this material is the complete absence of chemical additives and substances harmful to the human body. Increasingly, reputable restaurants, cafes and fast food chains that care about the health of their customers and the state of the environment are adopting just such disposable tableware and cutlery.
Firstly, dishes and packaging made from wheat straw are very easy to work with: the problem of reuse is solved, because ordinary plates need to be cleaned and washed. Secondly, the cookware has high performance characteristics: it can be used for freezing food and semi-finished products in freezers, used to heat food in the microwave, serve hot tea and coffee, and so on. And thirdly, eco-friendly dishes are easy to recycle.
The advantages of environmentally friendly tableware were appreciated in service centers, as well as in transport. Modern disposable tableware made from wheat straw is made in such a way that the finished products have significant strength and are resistant to mechanical stress and accidental damage. In addition, the use of eco-friendly utensils in any public catering establishment, as well as on airplanes and trains, allows us to strictly comply with sanitary safety and hygiene requirements.
A significant advantage of dishes and containers (trays) for storing food products is the absence of harmful environmental consequences when disposing of them. Once in the soil, the material can completely decompose within six months, without releasing any harmful compounds or toxic odors. Eco-ware completely turns into fertilizer, and it is organic, natural for nature.
Manufacturing technology.
The raw materials are prepared by thoroughly grinding wheat straw (sometimes other cereals can be used as starting material) and mixing the mass with other natural ingredients. The result is a homogeneous cellulose mass, which is then distributed into molds and pressed under pressure. As a result of molding, a finished product is obtained, in which the irregularities along the edges are trimmed. Using a press allows you to achieve high strength products that retain their given shape for a long time.
When producing eco-friendly tableware, no chemically active substances or other harmful components are added to the straw crumbs. Production completely eliminates the use of GMO raw materials. The production is also environmentally friendly: even the water used circulates in a closed circuit and is not drained into the sewer. This both reduces its consumption and leads to the discharge of wastewater to almost zero level. The technology is economical and energy saving.
Dishes made from leaves.
Packaging materials and tableware made from leaves are completely natural and do not contain any chemical impurities or other harmful substances. The production method is energy efficient and quite simple, so the finished products are not very expensive, but have good quality indicators.
Food that is served or packaged in such containers, trays, plates retains its natural taste and does not lose its olfactory qualities. One of the main advantages of products made from leaves is their rapid biodegradability under any disposal conditions. The raw materials from which these biowares are made completely disintegrate in just a few months. It can be made into compost and used as an effective fertilizer that increases the growth of cultivated plants and crops.
Production.
The process is simple, but requires certain skills and accuracy. Its main stages:
·Collecting fresh fallen leaves, transporting raw materials to production;
Prepared leaves are soaked in clean water several hours, then thoroughly dried;
·The finished dry leaves are placed in a hot molding press, where they are given the desired shape;
·After drying, the leaves are treated with special biological preparations and disinfected;
·Finished products can be coated with food paints and varnishes;
·Products are packaged in paper or cardboard prior to sale.
Basic properties
After processing under a hot press, the feedstock acquires high mechanical characteristics. Steamed and pressed leaves become light and durable; they can withstand fairly high mechanical loads, as well as prolonged contact with oily liquids and water. The products retain their qualities and mechanical characteristics well under the influence of high or low temperatures, and also do not lose their basic qualities when there is a sharp change in temperature (for example, during rapid defrosting).
All products made from leaves undergo special processing, therefore they have a high degree of protection against bacteria, and also ensure complete safety from a hygienic point of view. Since in the production of such eco-friendly dishes the use of chemically active substances and other harmful components, adhesives, varnishes is absolutely excluded, the dishes can even be used in the oven at temperatures up to 100 degrees.
Packaging and utensils made from leaves perfectly resist the effects of hot drinks and food. The products have proven themselves well in fast food outlets, various cafes and restaurants. Eco-friendly tableware made from leaves is also widely used in grocery stores and food chains where semi-finished products are sold.
It is very important that in the manufacture of such environmentally friendly and convenient products, significant savings in energy resources occur. Any disposable plastic tableware costs manufacturers much more, and the production technology itself involves the use of “chemistry”.
For production you will need a washing bath, a container for mixing the mass, trays for drying raw materials, a press, molds, and a drying chamber.
A broken plate or mug, once in a landfill, will not cause harm to the environment, but will decompose there for centuries. Alternatively, you can use biodegradable tableware made from bamboo, cornstarch, wheat straw and sugarcane. The method of its disposal is no more complicated than a rotten apple - in a couple of months in compost pit such a plate will turn into useful fertilizer. Recycle has sorted out the different types of eco-friendly tableware and collected the ten most interesting options.
Frybest made of bamboo
Dishes made from bamboo fibers are very light, durable, do not absorb moisture or odors, and decompose within a couple of months if thrown into compost. All items are heat-resistant and can withstand both very extreme cold and high temperature- up to 70 °C. The dishes prevent the growth of microbes - test results showed that more than 70% of microorganisms placed on the surface of bamboo dishes were destroyed naturally.
Manufacturer: South Korea
Ecoplant made from sugar
All plates and glasses are made from sugar, which is obtained from corn, wheat and sugar cane. Bright dishes are natural, safe and pleasant to the touch. It can be washed in dishwasher, refrigerate and use microwave oven. On the website you can order multi-colored cups, cutlery, bowls or a set of jugs and trays. There are special sets for children: Toy car for boys and Girl & Pets for girls.
Manufacturer: China
Brandani from corn
Italian tableware is made from the smallest fraction of bamboo with the addition of corn by vacuum pressing under pressure. An ideal option for those who value environmentally friendly, safe and at the same time beautiful materials. When dropped into the ground, bamboo dishes completely decompose within two months without emitting hazardous substances. chemical substances V environment. Moscow stores offer only a portion of the products: coffee and tea pairs, trays and snack dishes.
Manufacturer: Italy
Kupilka made of pine
Practical eco-friendly tableware with a traditional design - KUPILKA made from a composite of natural pine fibers. The dishes do not require special care, do not absorb odors and are insensitive to moisture. Very light, perfect for hiking. The biomaterial is recyclable and is sold in stylish packaging made from recycled cardboard or wooden box. There are no official distributors in Russia, but dishes are easy to find on Ebay.
Manufacturer: Finland
EcoPanda Pro made of bamboo
For the production of tableware, a natural, environmentally friendly material is used - pure bamboo fiber, so once it gets into the ground, it completely decomposes. The EcoPandaPro line includes moisture-resistant plates, glasses, salad bowls and bowls in cheerful colors. Bamboo tableware is available in sets of three identical items (except for the salad bowl), packaged in a recycled cardboard box.
Manufacturer: China
Vegetable Baby made from starch
Vegetable Baby dishes are made from environmentally friendly biopolymer based on corn starch with a biodegradability period of several months. Such kits do not contain biphenol A, dioxins, or other compounds that can lead to endocrine disorders and are indispensable when feeding children. The cookware is not suitable for use in a microwave oven.
Manufacturer: South Korea
Picneco made of cane, starch, wheat and wood
For picnics and outdoor events with a large number of guests, the ideal option is disposable tableware made from biodegradable materials: corn starch, wheat straw, sugar cane and wood. It is more durable than made from paper and is not inferior in properties to plastic - it can be used to serve hot dishes, freeze and store food at low temperatures. Picneco's range of disposable tableware is endless, including cutlery, sectional plates, glasses and even burger boxes.
Manufacturer: Russia
Green Toys made from recycled plastic
Although the products of the American brand Green Toys do not decompose in a few months, we still decided to include them in our review of eco-friendly tableware. Using recycled plastic and cardboard for packaging, the company follows its mission to be the most reliable and transparent supplier of environmentally and socially safe toys and tableware for children in the world. The dishes are made from food grade 100% recycled plastic.
Manufacturer: China
Starbucks made from recyclable plastic
Starbucks has also committed to reducing the use of single-use packaging to help save forests. An alternative to the iconic paper cup is thermoformed from virgin polypropylene. In every coffee shop you can buy fully recyclable, reusable cups and also get a discount on coffee. The company guarantees that the glass will pay for itself after just ten uses.
Manufacturer: China
Eco Cup made of ceramics
A convenient mug for takeaway coffee lovers, only it is made not of paper, but of ceramics. This beautiful, eco-friendly cup can withstand temperatures up to 230 degrees and can be used repeatedly in the dishwasher and microwave.
