Mondi, a multinational packaging and paper group, has entered the bike packaging market with its Protector Bags providing a new sustainable solution for Diamant. The bags will replace plastic wrappings used around the handlebars of its Trek and Diamant brands. The recyclable Protector Bags are made from renewable materials, according to the statement. 

The change means that Diamant will reduce its plastic use by 16 tonnes every year – around 85 per cent of its previous consumption – as well as saving costs in logistics and transportation.

The pre-made paper bags do not require additional wrapping or taping, as they are ready to use with a tailored closure strip developed specifically for the bicycle industry. According to the statement, the Protector Bags are created from two plies of paper and they protect the bikes during storage and transport with a softer interior glaze that is friction-resistant. Storage and transportation costs have been significantly reduced: the Protector Bags are delivered flat, meaning more can be carried on a pallet, providing a more cost-efficient stacking compared to plastic bubble wrap reels that transport excess air. In addition, Mondi produces the paper bags at its Trebsen plant in Germany, which is only an hour from Diamant’s factory, compared to the previous bubble wrap alternative, which was sourced abroad.

Geoffrey Ziegahn, Senior Engineer, Diamant, says: “Our development team worked very closely with Mondi to create these uniquely tailored bags, which will provide increased protection for the handlebars of all mountain and trekking bikes of our brands Trek and Diamant during transportation. This is a major step towards our sustainability goals: we aim to only use recyclable packaging by the end of this year and replace all plastic and bubble wrap with paper-based solutions.”

Nadja Nickel, Sales Manager Protector Bags, Mondi adds: “This is a fantastic example of how our EcoSolutions approach can work for customers in a wide range of industries, and we are delighted to make our first foray into bike packaging with our Protector Bags.”