Releaf, a France-based deep-tech materials company transforming urban fallen leaves into fibres and material components, has partnered with RDM Group, one of Europe's leading premium paper and cartonboard producers, and its Dutch subsidiary Eska.
The collaboration will focus on developing a new direction of leaf-based paper and solid board for premium and luxury packaging applications. Releaf contributes its material technology, material architecture and engineering expertise, while RDM Group and Eska bring their industrial expertise as a leader in packaging circularity, customized cartonboard development, lamination, converting and manufacturing.
Credit: Releaf
Releaf x Eska Visual
Rather than developing new manufacturing infrastructure from scratch, the partnership integrates Releaf's leaf-based materials into one of Europe's established industrial production systems, creating a new raw-material route for premium packaging.
The collaboration marks the first public presentation of a new development from the Releaf Innovation Center. It combines functional cellulose fibres from fallen leaves with Releaf’s distinctive surface pattern, bringing both material performance and a recognisable identity into one product. The technology forms part of Releaf’s growing IP and patent portfolio.
At the core of the development is Releaf’s dry mechanical conversion technology. Fallen leaves vary in structure, moisture and composition, making them difficult to use as a consistent industrial raw material. Releaf’s process converts this variable biomass into controlled fibre and filler fractions that can be used across different paper and packaging applications.
The first result of the collaboration combines Eska’s 100% recycled solid board with a Releaf leaf-based paper lamination. It preserves the natural texture of fallen leaves while meeting the technical requirements of premium packaging. It is designed for luxury boxes, book covers, and other high-end applications where both performance and material story matter.
The material will make its industry debut at LUXE PACK Monaco, taking place from 28-30 September 2026, where it will be presented at the Eska booth (RC02).
Krzysztof Krajewski, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer at RDM Group, said:
"Sustainability and circularity are built into our mission. This collaboration demonstrates what becomes possible when our expertise in recycled cartonboard is combined with Releaf's approach to urban leaf biomass. Together, we are creating a material from alternative fibres that reduces pressure on forests and tells a story about where it comes from. It still meets the standards our customers expect from premium quality solid board, while creating an emotional connection with consumers.”
“Our ambition has never been limited to making paper from leaves. We are building a technology platform that turns urban biomass into controlled, functional materials for a growing range of industrial applications. RDM Group is exactly the kind of industrial partner we want to build with, and we have ambitious plans for what we can develop together over the next two years,” said Valentyn Frechka, Founder and CEO of Releaf.
Credit: Releaf
Fibers production pilot
The company’s approach is built around a premise that short-use products should not depend exclusively on material resources that require many years to grow. Cities generate large recurring streams of fallen leaves and other urban biomass, while the paper and packaging industries continue to require additional material routes. Releaf develops the conversion technology needed to connect those two systems.
Today, Releaf works with cities and industrial partners across four European countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. Its materials have already been tested by global brands including Uber Eats, Chanel, L'Oréal, Samsung and Rituals, while the company has built recognition across the European Innovation Council, Bpifrance, Station F, the LVMH innovation ecosystem and the European Patent Office.