Spanish Startup Develops Fiber-Based Packaging to Replace Plastic Trays

Valencia-based entrepreneur Pablo García has launched Fibtray, a company developing a fiber-based food container designed to replace plastic packaging in supermarkets. García states that the product is composed of 96% natural fiber paper and performs at the same level as conventional plastic alternatives currently used in the food industry.

Aligning with Future Housing Trends

The business model is based on the prediction that domestic kitchens may become obsolete by the middle of the 21st century. This concept was publicly supported last year by Juan Roig, the owner of the supermarket chain Mercadona. García, 48, identifies as a proponent of this view, which anticipates a shift toward ready-to-eat meals rather than home-cooked food.

Production and Market Entry

Developing the product presented significant challenges, according to the founder. Despite these hurdles, the company has successfully patented the design. Fibtray plans to begin large-scale manufacturing operations by 2027, with an initial output target of 200 million paper trays per year.

Why it matters: As global retailers and consumers increasingly seek alternatives to single-use plastics, this development highlights a shift in packaging technology. For markets in the Middle East and Egypt, where food retail sectors are rapidly modernizing and expanding, sustainable packaging innovations like fiber-based trays could offer scalable solutions to reduce plastic waste and meet evolving consumer demands for eco-friendly products.