Moorim, Paper Revolution... Becoming a Global Eco-Friendly Triple Crown Winner

A shopping bag made from Murim's shopping bag paper, which is about to receive the global eco-friendly certification 'OK compost' in June.
[Photo by Murim Paper]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Murim, a pulp and paper specialist company, has ignited the spark of an eco-friendly paper revolution. By next month, Murim will be able to achieve the 'global eco-friendly certification triple crown,' establishing itself as a leader in eco-friendly paper production in the global paper market.

In March, Murim obtained the 'OK Compost (biodegradability certification)' officially issued by the European testing and certification body 'TUV Austria' for its eco-friendly paper cups. Recently, the base paper for paper straws, 'Neoforestro (STRAW),' passed the same certification test and is awaiting certification.

Additionally, next month, the base paper for shopping bags, 'Neostar Art Shopping Bag,' is expected to acquire the same certification. As a result, Murim will complete the acquisition of 'OK Compost' certification for three types of base paper: paper cups, paper straws, and shopping bag paper. The company explains that this achievement marks the first time in the domestic industry that a global eco-friendly certification triple crown has been attained.

The OK Compost certification is a global environmental certification that tests and verifies whether household or industrial waste does not exhibit environmental toxicity and biodegrades within a certain period. TUV Austria is renowned for its rigorous verification, including tests for heavy metals, biodegradability, and phytotoxicity.

Obtaining the OK Compost certification means recognition as an eco-friendly product in the global market. Murim had previously received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Neofore Cup (paper cup) and Neoforestro (paper straw). This time, by acquiring three eco-friendly certifications in Europe, including for shopping bag base paper, Murim has become a globally recognized eco-friendly paper manufacturer.

The company explains that firms certified with OK Compost for eco-friendly paper products are rare worldwide. A representative company is Finland's paper company Ahlstrom Munkjo, which received OK Compost certification for hamburger packaging.

Moorim eco-friendly paper straw 'Neostro'. Recently passed the biodegradable certification test.
[Photo by Moorim Paper]

Approval for sales by the U.S. FDA proves that the products are harmless to humans, meaning consumers can use them with confidence. This is also a positive signal for market growth amid the spreading awareness of 'plastic reduction' and the emergence of 'paper' as a suitable alternative to replace plastic and vinyl.

Recently, there has been an active movement, especially in the food and distribution industries, to avoid plastic packaging and switch to eco-friendly paper materials. Dawn delivery companies have completely switched related packaging materials to paper, and major coffee franchises use paper straws instead of plastic ones.

Murim already holds about 50% of the domestic market with its unique food-grade specialty paper technologies, such as ice cream cone paper and cup paper, which are harmless to humans. The paper straws are also supplied to well-known domestic coffee shops. This is because the products have been recognized as eco-friendly, with enhanced water resistance and durability, improved to eliminate the unpleasant paper taste, and biodegradable after use.

Shopping bags made from eco-friendly shopping bag base paper are already supplied to major domestic companies. Murim is currently striving to develop export channels for eco-friendly paper cups, paper straws, and shopping bag paper.

A Murim official said, "We are recognized for our 64 years of long-standing experience and unique technology in the food-grade specialty paper field in markets with high preferences for eco-friendly products such as North America and Europe," adding, "Paper products are evolving in line with the social trend pursuing eco-friendliness, and Murim will lead this evolution at the forefront."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.