Say cheese: How Babybel is commercializing its plastic-to-paper makeover

Snack producer Bel Group is replacing the biobased plastic film it introduced in 2020 with paper for the overwraps on its Babybel brand of individual wax-covered cheeses. The France-based company is transitioning the Babybel production lines at its five global plants, including in the United States.
Bel has worked on this transition for five years as part of its broader sustainability efforts, namely to produce a more recyclable pack, reduce plastic use and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The transition to fiber is projected to save 850 tons of plastic and 2,500 tons of CO2 annually, said Delphine Chatelin, vice president of research, innovation and development.
The company has begun rolling out the paper overwraps commercially in the United Kingdom, and it expects to complete the rollout in the United States, Canada and Northern Europe next year. All 50 global markets where Babybel is sold should get the paper packaging by 2027.