Japan ’s paper industry , which has been declining , is being boosted by the search for alternatives to plastic . Last year , maple Paper Industries unveiled a prototype paper cup that does not alter the flavour of beverages and does not get soggy . The company also hopes that its Spops product will eventually make up 20 % of the country ’s $ 2.72bn shampoo refill market . In Finland , paper company Kotkamills has developed a “ game changer ” paper cup without an inside filter , making it easier to recycle . Denmark ’s EcoXpac has also developed a wood fibre filter in partnership with brewer Carlsberg .
Japan’s paper industry, which has been declining, is being boosted by the search for alternatives to plastic. Last year, Nippon Paper Industries unveiled a prototype paper straw that does not alter the flavour of beverages and does not get soggy. The company also hopes that its Spops containers will eventually make up 20% of the country’s $2.72bn shampoo refill market. In Finland, paper company Kotkamills has developed a “game changer” paper cup without an inside coating, making it easier to recycle. Denmark’s EcoXpac has also developed a wood fibre bottle in partnership with brewer Carlsberg.