Gelinova GmbH in Heidelberg in Germany plans to manufacture bio-based foil made from gelatine and agar-agar in an energy and resource saving way that creates leaves of gelatine and rolled goods.

While the gelatine will be used in food products, the rolled goods will be used for packaging. In order to implement this pilot project, the company will receive 2.3 million Euros from the German environmental innovation programme. 

Parliamentary secretary of state Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, says: "Climate protection is often associated only with building insulation or the switching off of coal fired power plants. But often there are savings potentials in small and medium sized companies which are a shining example for their industry, as is the case with Gelinova. The ministry’s promotional programme supports companies to gear their production towards a climate friendly future.” 

Their innovative approach uses an energy and water efficient way of dissolving the raw materials, including gelatine and agar-agar. The dissolving process is directed to guarantee optimal dosing, which means that the amount of water and waste water will be reduced by around 70 to 8- per cent per year. During the drying process that follows, less water has to be extracted from the gelatine, reducing the energy used. The hot air from drying is returned to the drying circle, leading to an extra saving of 93,000 kwh of energy and around 62 tons of gas, reducing CO2  emissions by 746 tons a year.