As businesses across Australia continue to seek sustainable alternatives to plastic single-use items, PakChain is creating solutions for the country’s café owners.
While many café owners spend time and energy ensuring they offer a sustainable takeaway-cup option, it can be easy to overlook the further opportunities to reduce their eco impact via other disposable essentials.
With a focus on innovation, functionality, and customer experience, PakChain’s range of paper cutlery, corrugated clamshells, and lidded containers has been developed to set a new standard for quality and performance in the eco-friendly packaging space.
Wooden alternatives have long dominated the sustainable cutlery market, but according to PakChain Founder Paul Rayner the paper-based option is becoming increasingly popular. Although slightly more expensive than wooden versions, the paper option is garnering attention for its feel, aesthetic, and strength.
Knives out
Made from nine layers of compressed paper and coated with a compostable aqueous layer, PakChain’s paper cutlery is designed for comfort and usability.
“The paper cutlery is smooth and affordable, whereas some wooden cutlery can be rough, splintery, and often comes with an unpleasant aftertaste,” says Paul
“When customers hold our cutlery, they say they’ve never seen a product like it. Once they handle it, they’re genuinely impressed with how good it looks and feels.”
The paper cutlery is available in individual pieces – such as knives, forks, and spoons – or in complete cutlery sets with customisable options. Paul says the sets are popular in sectors such as airlines, which may require specific configurations like teaspoons or napkin inclusions, but can be tailored to meet clients’ needs.
While uptake in cafés and fast casual dining has only recently gained momentum, the healthcare and corrective services industries have embraced the innovation.
“Hospitals and prisons are among our biggest customers,” says Paul. “But there’s definitely room to grow, especially in quick service restaurants (QSR). Wooden cutlery gets a lot of complaints and we think our product is a better alternative.”
Sandos on the go
Ideal for takeaway sandwiches, toasties, and wraps, PakChain’s corrugated clamshell boxes are made from high-GSM board and offer an oil-resistant solution.
“The paperboard we use is of the highest quality, and the products are leak-resistant at the base, making them ideal for juicy or oily foods,” says Paul.
“The containers are especially popular for burgers, hot chips, and finger foods. The clamshells are great for cafés, takeaways, or what we call ‘doggy bag’ situations.”
These clamshells have earned strong feedback for both product quality and service delivery, with repeat customers in foodservice praising their performance and affordability.
All PakChain’s clamshells and trays are customisable with the option of adding logos and messaging, offering businesses an opportunity to maintain brand presence while making a sustainable choice.
All thrills no spills
Avoiding spills is always a priority in a café environment. PakChain’s lids are designed to alleviate the risk of spillage and extra work. Made from bagasse (the fibrous byproduct of sugarcane processing), the brand’s lidded containers are another compostable option for cafés trying to reduce their environmental impact.
The white base is compostable and sturdy, while the lid – made from clear PLA (polylactic acid) – is also compostable and designed for visibility and leak resistance.
These 12-ounce, rectangular containers are proving popular across airports and food retailers alike. They are also useful for cafés, where takeaway options have risen in popularity since the pandemic.
“They’re great for salads and other display foods. The PLA lid is very clear, which also helps with presentation,” says Paul.
“It’s a single-use product, but it has a proper end-of-life as it’s paper, compostable, and it works.”
PakChain’s philosophy focuses on delivering a product that’s not only sustainable but also genuinely functional.
With options to brand, customise, and scale, PakChain is poised to continue expanding into new markets, including cafés, QSR, and event catering. From smooth, compostable cutlery to sturdy corrugated boxes and lidded containers, it creates products designed to help busy café environments thrive.
For more information, visit pakchain.com.au
This article appears in the October 2025 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
