Mondi, a leading global packaging and paper manufacturer, and Fiorini International, a leading Italian packaging converter, have developed Italy’s first 100% recyclable paper rice bag for Italian rice producer Riseria Vignola Giovanni. Made of Mondi Advantage Smooth White Strong paper, the new ‘Rice Bag’ will support Vignola’s sustainability aims to reduce use of plastic packaging.

• Rice company Vignola introduces Italy's first 100% recyclable paper rice bag, working in partnership with Mondi and Fiorini International
• Made of 100% recyclable Mondi Advantage Smooth White Strong paper
• Innovation meets Vignola's ambition to use more sustainable packaging

The 'Rice Bag' was designed as part of Mondi’s customer-centric EcoSolutions approach to help customers achieve their sustainability goals while meeting technical requirements such as food shelf life preservation and regulations. Vignola showed a clear commitment to use more environmentally sustainable packaging with their purchase of a new form-fill-seal machine suitable for paper-based bags.

Giovanni Vignola, Managing Director, Vignola, says: “Our fifth-generation family company has long been an innovator in Italy. In 1971, we were one of the first to pack rice in cardboard boxes, and in the 1980s we were among the first to adopt the vacuum packaging system. Now we are pleased to be leading the market once again with this fully recyclable paper rice bag for our 500g and one kilo packages, giving consumers the sustainable, recyclable packaging they increasingly prefer.”

Pietro Fiorini, Sales Director, Fiorini International says: “The Rice Bag for Vignola is our second successful collaboration with Mondi in the past two years. Having partnered with Mondi to develop a fully recyclable paper bag with a window for an Italian pasta company last year, we did not hesitate to recommend Mondi to Vignola. Mondi has the expertise and capability to work with us on sustainable packaging solutions that not only meet food industry guidelines for freshness and shelf life but is also user-friendly.”

The 'Rice Bag' developed for Vignola is made of Mondi Advantage Smooth White Strong 100 gsm, a speciality kraft paper with the right combination of high strength, superior printability and guaranteed runnability on filling machines. It is 100% recyclable and suitable for waste paper recycling streams even in countries with the highest recycling requirements.

Massimiliano Scotta, Head of Sales Region South & Americas, Mondi, adds: “Our EcoSolutions approach goes to the heart of trying to reduce less sustainable packaging with more bespoke solutions that meet our customers' needs. We’re delighted that our continuing cooperation with Fiorini is now supporting Vignola’s vision to produce more sustainable packaging. With a production volume of 50 million kilos of rice per year, Vignola has a competitive market presence as well as a track record of leading the way in innovative packaging. We’re pleased to see these developments in Italian food packaging and are ready to support customers with packaging solutions that are sustainable by design.”

Italy is Europe’s top producer and exporter of rice, producing around 1.5 million tons per which makes more than 30% of the total European rice production (2018)[1].

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is fully integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer- centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2019, Mondi had revenues of €7.27 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.66 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

[1] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/italy-rice-market