We are able to send to most other countries on request. Automatic ordering and shipping is available in Sweden. Please contact us with your request to learn more.

No. Please note transport costs are changing on a daily based and dependant on many parameters outside our control. We can support you for the transport on a case-by-case basis at the time of your order.

Ex Works (EXW)

Our standard shipping within Sweden is 2-3 business days after order fulfilment. International delivery times depend on the products and destination.

Yes

Yes, we can produce custom size products outside of our standard range. Contact us to learn more.

Yes! Our products are customizable with your design and your logo. Please note ordering custom-made products requires a minimum order quantity (MOQ).MOQ for film-based products (carrier bag, waste bag, apron, cape and fruit bag) :5 pallets / 500,000 pieces depending on the productMOQ for fibre-based products (cups, straws, lids): 500,000 pieces depending on the productMOQ for Luxbags and Ecommerce Mailers: 30,000 piecesAdditionally, Grale Film products (carrier bag, waste bag, apron, cape and fruit bag) can be produced in different thicknesses, sizes and with custom printing to meet your needs. Please note all of our products are subject to our standard terms and conditions. For any inquiries about the customizability of our products, please contact us for more information.If you have low quantities or if you are unsure, we recommend starting by purchasing our standard products and then proceed with custom orders.

Invoice payment is currently available for contract customers based in Sweden. All other customers shall pay at order for their order to be considered as valid. If you wish to become a contract customer, please contact us

There are different payment methods available including card payment and Klarna which you can see and choose at checkout.

We offer two categories of products: film-based products and paper-based/fibre-based products.

Film-based products include: carrier bag, waste bag, fruit and vegetable bag, dog waste bag, cape and apron. 

Fibre-based products include: disposable drinking cup, lid, straw, lux carrier bag and mailer.

Please see our product page, for more information.

We utilize renewable resources such as cellulose, agricultural waste, forestry side streams, wood fibres, wild and non-edible plants. The formulation and content varies depending on the product type and application.

Five main differences: sustainability, cost, functionality, scalability, third-party validations (certifications).

The alternative solutions either pollute the environment, are expensive, have poor functionality, not scalable and lack third-party validations. Many of the so-called eco-friendly alternatives still contain toxic chemicals and microplastics.

Grale is superior to existing solutions, because it is providing certified sustainable alternatives with great performance at a competitive price. Moreover, none of the competitors are using waste and non-edible plants as the source. This means that we are not competing with the food chain and at the same time can reduce the local waste streams.

The combination of five above-mentioned differences, makes Grale unique!

Without being too nerdy, figuratively speaking you could say that we spray paper on paper. In this way, we eliminate the plastic film barrier and still achieve the desired mechanical properties.

The rate depends on multiple conditions that trigger the biodegradation process including moisture levels, oxygen, heat and microorganisms.  The process of biodegradation also depends on the product application. Our films comply with standards for both Home Composting and Industrial composting, including EN 13432 and ASTM D6400, European Home Compost standards stipulate that home compostable films disintegrate within 6 months and industrially compostable films disintegrate within 3 months.

Please note that biodegradability does not mean that you can litter or throw our products in the nature! Littering should not be encouraged under any circumstances.

Many of the so-called eco-friendly alternatives still contain toxic chemicals and microplastics. The also do not function as good as our product and they are more expensive. Please see the above answer to the question "What is the difference between Grale and other compostable products?" Note that we are not a typical material company and we are not a "bag" production company. Our innovation lies on processes which enables us to offer sustainable products with great performance at a reasonable cost.

No. Our products will not biodegrade on the shelf. Biodegradation will only be initiated in an environment with the presence of micro-organisms, humidity and heat. However, due to the nature of our biomaterials, Grale products can over time, lose some of their mechanical properties. As long as they are stored in a cool, dark place in sealed packaging, the products will retain their structural integrity for a reasonably long time. Because proper storage prevents the initiation of the biodegradation process.  We have a shelf life of at least 12 months, which can be extended by correct storage conditions mentioned above.

Grale is produced using the existing manufacturing facilities. This makes our technology highly-scalable and cost-efficient to operate.

Sure! Our products are certified by toughest certification standards in Europe and globally.

We use eco-friendly inks from European suppliers, carefully selected in order ensure compliancy and being non-toxic. In addition, we have a “zero waste” manufacturing collecting the production leftovers and re-using them.

The best end of life option for our fibre-based products are to recycle them as paper together with other paper waste. This enables the valuable raw material to stay in the loop and becomes new paper that can be used for making new paper-based products.

The best end of life option for our film-based products is composability, as it can become nutrition for the soil.

All of our products are compostable. Recycle our fibre-based products as paper. Please do not put our products in the plastic recycling bins. Dispose the products as advised so that we can keep the valuable materials in the circular loop without having resources and energy go to waste.

Not really! Here are several reasons: 
‍Recycled plastic is still plastic!  Even recycled plastics can degrade into microplastics over time, which persist in the environment and harm ecosystems.

‍Low Recycling Rates: Globally, only about 9% of all plastic waste is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or the environment. Please note burning plastic waste is not considered recycling, but still marketed as waste-to-energy recycling!

‍Quality Degradation: plastic is being “down-cycled” and not “re-cycled”. Unlike materials like glass or metal, plastics degrade in quality with each recycling cycle, limiting their reuse potential over time.

‍Non-Biodegradability: Recycled plastic does not break down naturally in the environment, contributing to long-term pollution if improperly managed.Ultimately, the best approach is to prioritize reducing overall consumption of single-use items, reusing materials whenever possible, and ensuring proper disposal according to local guidelines.

No, don't litter. Please note that biodegradability does not mean that you can litter or throw our products in the nature! Littering should not be encouraged under any circumstances.

The term biodegradable refers to a chemical process during which micro-organisms that are available in the environment convert materials into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass (artificial additives are not needed!).

The process of biodegradation depends on the surrounding environmental conditions (such as moisture levels, oxygen, heat and microorganisms, location), on the material itself, and on the application.

Compostable materials are those that can break down into non-toxic, natural components, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, within a specific timeframe and under certain conditions. This process is facilitated by microorganisms and results in nutrient-rich compost that can enrich soil without leaving harmful residues or toxins.
Key Characteristics of Compostable Materials include:

Complete Breakdown: Compostable materials decompose completely into their basic parts without leaving harmful residues

Specific Conditions: They require specific conditions to break down, which can be achieved in industrial composting facilities or, for some products, in home composting setups

Timeframe: The decomposition process is expected to occur within a set period, often 90 to 180 days in industrial settings

If a material is compostable, it is automatically considered as biodegradable and can be recovered in a composting process. A biodegradable material will break down under the action of micro-organisms, but could leave residues after one composting cycle and no guarantee for toxic residues can be given. Therefore, a biodegradable material cannot automatically be considered to be compostable before proof of its composability has been given according to existing standards such as EN13432. The term biodegradable is very often misused in marketing and advertising of products and materials that are not actually environmentally friendly. This is why we use more often the term compostable when describing our products.

The main difference between home and industrial composting lies in the rate of biodegradation. In industrial composting facilities, temperatures are much higher and maintained at stable levels, creating optimal conditions for rapid decomposition. In contrast, home composting typically occurs at lower, more variable temperatures that are influenced by factors like weather conditions. Because of these differences in temperature control and other conditions, home composting proceeds at a slower pace than industrial composting and generally handles smaller volumes of waste material. All in all, the differences are outlined here:

Industrial Composting
‍-Takes place in controlled facilities
-Requires specific temperature and humidity conditions
-Materials must break down within 180 days to be legally labelled as compostable 

‍Home Composting
‍-Occurs at ambient temperatures
-Uses natural microbial communities
-Products specifically labelled as "home compostable" can be added to personal compost heaps

While often confused with biodegradable plastics, oxo-degradables are conventional plastics that are mixed with chemical additives that accelerate degradation when in contact with oxygen. Oxo-degradable plastics quickly fragment into smaller and smaller pieces, called microplastics, but don’t break down at the molecular or polymer level like biodegradable and compostable plastics. The resulting microplastics are difficult to clean up and are often left in the environment indefinitely causing harmful long-term effects. Of course, our products are NOT in this category and we strongly encourage you to pay attention when selecting products marketed as degradable or oxo-degradable.

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, which are pervasive in the environment due to plastic pollution. They are categorized into two main types: primary and secondary microplastics.

Primary Microplastics: These are intentionally manufactured small plastic particles used in products such as cosmetics (e.g., microbeads), industrial abrasives, and synthetic textiles. They enter the environment directly through product use, spills, or abrasion during processes like washing synthetic clothing.

Secondary Microplastics: These result from the breakdown of plastic items, such as bottles, bags, and fishing nets, through natural weathering processes like sunlight exposure and physical abrasion. Over time, these larger items fragment into smaller pieces that become microplastics

Microplastics are a significant environmental concern due to their widespread presence and potential ecological and health impacts. Addressing this issue requires reducing plastic production, improving waste management practices, and developing alternatives to traditional plastics to minimize their release into the environment.

Nanoplastics are extremely small plastic particles, typically defined as being within the size range of 1 to 1,000 nanometers (nm). These particles are a subset of microplastics, which are generally smaller than 5 millimeters. However, nanoplastics are distinguished by their much smaller size, often invisible to the naked eye and even under simple microscopes.

Nanoplastics can originate from two main sources:

Primary Nanoplastics: These are intentionally manufactured for specific applications, such as in industrial processes or consumer products.

Secondary Nanoplastics: These result from the breakdown of larger plastic debris through environmental degradation processes like UV radiation, mechanical wear, or chemical reactions.

Microplastics, are increasingly being found in the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and possibly skin contact. While research on their full impact on human health is still emerging, there is growing evidence that microplastics has harmful effects on human health.

Some references sources of plastics negative impact on human health can be found on Toxicological Sciences journal, Guardian, Veluda, American Chemical Society, Forbes, Indipendent, Springer, CNN and Nature

Microplastics pose potential risks to human health through inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and other pathways. 

Inflammation and Immune Response:
Microplastics can trigger inflammation in the body as the immune system perceives them as foreign invaders. This inflammatory response has been observed in animal studies and human cell models. Inhalation of microplastics has been linked to lung inflammation and respiratory issues, similar to the effects of particulate air pollution.

Cancer Risks:The physical properties of microplastics (e.g., jagged edges) and their chemical contaminants may increase the risk of cancer by causing chronic inflammation or DNA damage.

Oxidative Stress and Cellular Damage:Microplastics can generate oxidative stress by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage cells, DNA, and proteins. This may lead to cell death or dysfunction.

Cardiovascular Risks:
Studies suggest that microplastics in blood vessels may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Microplastics have been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, and their presence is associated with a higher likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events.

Endocrine Disruption:
Many plastics contain chemical additives like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can interfere with hormone regulation, potentially leading to reproductive issues, metabolic disorders, and developmental abnormalities.

Neurotoxicity:
Some studies in animal models have shown that microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially leading to cognitive decline and neuroinflammation810.

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity:
Microplastics may harm reproductive health by reducing sperm quality and disrupting hormonal balance. They have also been linked to developmental abnormalities in animal studies.

Disruption of Gut Microbiota:
Ingested microplastics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to dysbiosis (imbalance) that may contribute to metabolic disorders, inflammation, and other health issues.

While these findings raise concerns, there are still significant gaps in understanding the long-term effects of microplastic exposure on human health. In the meantime, reducing exposure by limiting plastic use, switching to better alternative such as Grale products could help mitigate potential risks.

Microplastics are found in various environments, including oceans, freshwater systems, and soils. They pose several ecological risks:

Human Health Concerns: microplastics have been found in food and water supplies. They often contain additives like stabilizers and flame retardants that could pose health risks if ingested.

Ecological Impact: Microplastics can be ingested by marine and terrestrial organisms, potentially causing physical harm and introducing toxic substances into the food chain. This can affect animal health and biodiversity.

Nanoplastics pose significant environmental and health concerns due to their small size and ability to penetrate biological barriers. They have been detected in various environments, including air, water, soil, and even human tissues such as blood and organs. Their small size allows them to be transported over long distances and easily ingested by organisms. Once inside organisms, nanoplastics can cross critical biological barriers like the intestinal lining or the blood-brain barrier, potentially causing toxic effects.

The potential toxicity of nanoplastics is a growing concern. Due to their minute size and surface properties, they can interact with biological molecules such as proteins and lipids, leading to cellular damage. Studies have shown that nanoplastics can cause oxidative stress, reproductive abnormalities, and other health issues in both aquatic life and humans. Their ability to penetrate cells and tissues more readily than larger microplastics suggests they may have more severe toxicological effects.

Detecting nanoplastics is challenging due to their small size and diverse chemical compositions. Advanced techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry are employed to identify and analyze these particles. Despite increased research efforts, much remains unknown about their long-term environmental fate and health impacts.

In summary, nanoplastics are a significant environmental pollutant with adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Their small size allows them to infiltrate biological systems more easily than larger plastic particles, posing unique challenges for detection and risk assessment.