Biodegradable mulch can nowadays be used to substitute mulches made of plastic in agriculture. Mulch is used to prevent the growth of weeds and to control water resources of the soil.
The biodegradable Agripap mulch is designed and developed in partnership with Stora Enso, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, VTT Research Centre of Finland and the University of Helsinki. Use of paper instead of plastic decreases the environmental load created by agriculture.
Paper used in mulch has been treated with a birch distillate. After the treatment the material is stronger, its decompostion time is longer and it is easier to spread on the ground.
Agripap mulch has been used in agriculture since summer 2014. It is better than its plastic competitors also when it comes to gas metabolism of plants. In addition to this, when decomposing wood fibres improve the quality of soil.
Development work of Agripap for different agricultural purposes continues.
