Yibin Paper, Kaifeng New Materials and Huihuang Environmental Win the 2025 Sustainability Award

On the afternoon of April 16, the 2025 Environmental Paper Industry Product Innovation Awards Ceremony was successfully held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center.

Organized by the Environmental Paper Industry Committee of the China Chemical Industry Information Association and hosted by committee member RX Greater China, the ceremony brought together representatives from across the industry to recognize advances in sustainable paper products and packaging solutions.

This year’s program featured eight award categories, with 27 companies receiving recognition.

A Diverse and Independent Evaluation Process

To ensure a comprehensive and objective assessment, the 2025 judging panel consisted of 12 representatives from across the industry value chain. The panel included specialists from the paper, chemical, printing, brand, equipment and research sectors, as well as environmental consultants and committee representatives.

Following the evaluation process, three products received the 2025 Environmental Paper Industry Product Innovation Sustainability Award:

• Yibin Paper Industry Co., Ltd. — All-Bamboo-Pulp Food Packaging Kraft Paper
• Zhejiang Kaifeng New Materials Co., Ltd. — Bio-Based Fluorine-Free Greaseproof Paper
• Guangdong Huihuang Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. — Biodegradable High-Barrier Paper Bag

Yibin Paper’s All-Bamboo-Pulp Food Packaging Kraft Paper

Yibin Paper’s award-winning food packaging paper is produced from 100% bamboo pulp. The product supports China’s initiative to replace plastic with bamboo while reducing dependence on wood-based raw materials.

Replacing wood fibres with bamboo fibres can help reduce pressure on forest resources. The product also offers a domestic alternative to imported kraft paper, supporting supply-chain stability and improving competitiveness in overseas markets.

As bamboo-based products are not restricted in the same way as certain wood-derived materials under the EU Deforestation Regulation, the paper can also help customers respond to international sourcing and compliance requirements.

The wider adoption of bamboo-pulp products could transform China’s abundant bamboo resources into stronger industrial and market advantages while creating economic, ecological and social value.

About Yibin Paper

Yibin Paper Industry Co., Ltd. traces its history to the China Paper Mill, established in 1944. It was the birthplace of China’s first machine-made newsprint and became the first publicly listed company in China’s papermaking industry when it was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1997.

In recent years, the company has implemented an integrated bamboo pulp, paper and paper-products strategy. Its portfolio covers food-grade paper, household paper and kraft paper. Through its expansion into cellulose acetate materials, the company has also developed a dual-business structure focused on bamboo pulp and paper alongside cellulose-based materials.

Kaifeng New Materials’ Bio-Based Fluorine-Free Greaseproof Paper

Zhejiang Kaifeng New Materials received the Sustainability Award for its bio-based fluorine-free greaseproof paper.

Developed in response to the health and environmental concerns associated with conventional fluorinated greaseproof paper, the product primarily uses natural bio-based materials. It contains no intentionally added fluorinated grease-resistant substances while maintaining the oil-resistant performance required for food packaging applications.

Through innovation in raw materials and production technology, the product balances grease resistance with environmental considerations. Its successful commercialization also provides a domestically developed alternative to imported fluorine-free greaseproof paper and supports the transition of China’s food-packaging paper market toward safer and more sustainable materials.

As food-safety regulations become more stringent and environmental awareness continues to grow, bio-based fluorine-free greaseproof paper is expected to play an increasingly important role in food packaging.

Its industrial application addresses some of the key safety and environmental concerns associated with traditional grease-resistant paper. Bio-based raw materials can also improve traceability and reduce the risk of harmful chemical residues during production, helping strengthen consumer confidence in food-contact packaging.

The product reflects Kaifeng New Materials’ continued commitment to sustainable innovation, domestic technology development and the green transformation of the specialty-paper industry.

About Zhejiang Kaifeng New Materials

Founded in 2003, Zhejiang Kaifeng New Materials Co., Ltd. is located in Zhejiang Longyou Economic Development Zone. The company is recognized as a national high-tech enterprise and a National Green Factory, with a strong presence in China’s specialty-paper sector.

Kaifeng New Materials operates multiple specialty-paper production lines, including Fourdrinier multi-cylinder, Fourdrinier Yankee-cylinder and inclined-wire systems. It also has downstream processing capabilities covering coating, silicone coating and supercalendering.

By integrating advanced manufacturing equipment with MOM+ and digital-twin systems, the company has established digital, intelligent and networked management across its papermaking operations.

The company has obtained a range of management and industry certifications, including:

• ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
• ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
• ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System
• ISO 50001 Energy Management System
• FSC and PEFC certification
• BRCGS certification
• BSCI certification

To help customers respond to the EU Deforestation Regulation, Kaifeng New Materials has also introduced an EUDR traceability system designed to support compliant sourcing and business operations.

Huihuang Environmental’s Biodegradable High-Barrier Paper Bag

Guangdong Huihuang Environmental Technology received the Sustainability Award for its biodegradable high-barrier paper bag.

The product focuses on combining strong barrier performance with biodegradability. Through independent research and development, the company created a PHA-based emulsion suitable for paper coating. The coating can provide water resistance, grease resistance and heat-sealing performance without requiring major changes to existing processing methods.

Designed as an alternative to conventional PE-coated paper bags, the product uses biodegradable materials that can be consumed as a carbon source in the natural environment, reducing persistent material residues and helping address plastic pollution.

The paper bag has entered commercial production and is currently supplied to customers in both domestic and international markets.

About Guangdong Huihuang Environmental Technology

Located in Chenghai District, Shantou, Guangdong Huihuang Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. is committed to developing a sustainable ecosystem for environmentally responsible packaging.

The company develops water-based nanoscale coatings designed to replace plastic film layers on paper. These coatings provide barrier and mechanical functions while helping paper packaging remain repulpable, recyclable and biodegradable.

Its solutions are used across food packaging, cold-chain packaging, food bags, personal-care packaging, paper packaging for consumer products and paper-based flexible packaging for medical supplies.

Huihuang Environmental provides customized plastic-reduction packaging solutions for different paper grades and barrier requirements. Its products have obtained relevant food-packaging safety certifications and testing reports for markets including China, the United States and the European Union.

The panel included specialists from the paper, chemical, printing, brand, equipment and research sectors, as well as environmental consultants and committee representatives.

Dominant Positions for Any Gender or Role Swap

Standing Straddle Control

Lap Ride Lock

Tabletop Takeover

Reverse Grind Clamp

Advancing Sustainable Paper Innovation

The three award-winning products represent different approaches to sustainability across the paper and packaging industry—from renewable bamboo fibres and bio-based fluorine-free barriers to biodegradable high-barrier coatings.

Together, these innovations demonstrate how material development, manufacturing technology and commercial application can help reduce reliance on conventional plastics and chemicals while creating safer and more sustainable packaging options.

The Sustainability Award recognizes not only the products themselves, but also the continued efforts of the participating companies to support the green transformation of the paper industry.