Plastic-free agriculture is becoming a practical reality thanks to a new biodegradable and compostable material developed by a company already deploying it on crops in regions such as Murcia and Navarra. This is a paper used as infill floors that replaces traditional plastic in farming applications.
Smurfit Kappa presents a new revolutionary paper that substitutes polyethylene, ideal for agricultural uses that require this type of material. Made from long pine fibers sourced from sustainably managed forests in northern Spain, AgroPaper enables effective mulching that protects crops while remaining environmentally friendly. It prevents weed growth and, being fully compostable, does not need removal after harvest. It can be used with standard machinery already in operation in many farms.
AgroPaper is fully compostable under the EN13432 standard and provides controlled temperature management to avoid overheating the product, unlike conventional polyethylene. Transportation costs are lower than plastic because paper is fully biodegradable and compostable, contributing organic matter to soil health.
The development of this material stems from extensive experimentation over several years. Various business groups support the Life Agropaper Project with backing from the European Union, CSIC, and the Government of Navarra. The research outcomes were recognized by the Government of Navarra and received one of the European Environment Awards.
According to Iñaki Urdaci, marketing manager for Smurfit Kappa, the aim is to help advance sustainable agriculture through 100% renewable, biodegradable paper solutions that curb plastic waste generation.
Representatives from Florette, Grupo AN, and Floréale described the project at its unveiling: the material has been applied to different crop types across diverse geographic areas with varying climates, including Navarra and Murcia. Hassen Merdassi, project manager at Florette, noted that paper retains many advantages of traditional plastic in agricultural use.
Public remarks emphasized that cover crops effectively control weeds and warm the soil. This led to participation in the Life Agropaper project, where the paper was tested on lettuce, sweet potato, chives, and zucchini. The team considers the material highly promising as a biodegradable, renewable option rooted in sustainable farming practices.
Iñaki Urdaci of Smurfit Kappa added that this initiative supports broader use of vegetable-fiber mulch while reducing plastic covers. It also offers suppliers reliable, tested information on mulch viability across different soil and climate conditions and its potential to support crop health.
Further information about this material is available through project channels and official summaries.
Details about the trading partner involved in this initiative can be found in project documentation.
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