Client Background

DHL, a global leader in logistics, ships over 1.8 billion parcels annually across 220 countries. With expanding e-commerce operations in the European Union, the company faced mounting pressure to reduce plastic waste and meet upcoming single-use plastic directives.

The Challenge

• EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) imposed strict recycling and biodegradability requirements on packaging materials by 2025
• Existing PE courier bags generated 3,200+ tons of non-recyclable plastic waste annually in DHL’s EU network
• Customers increasingly selected carriers based on sustainability credentials
• Supply chain lacked a certified biodegradable alternative that maintained the same tear strength and water resistance as conventional PE mailers

Aritpack’s Solution

Aritpack engineered a custom PBAT+PLA biodegradable courier bag certified to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 standards:

• Material: 70% PBAT + 30% PLA blend, fully compostable within 180 days
• Thickness: 60μm (down from 80μm conventional PE) without compromising load capacity
• Custom DHL red branding printed with water-based, food-safe inks
• Self-adhesive tamper-evident seal with 65N peel strength
• Sizes: 25×35cm, 30×40cm, 40×50cm (three standard SKUs)

Results & Impact

Client Testimonial

“Aritpack didn’t just sell us a bag — they delivered a certified compliance solution. Their EN 13432 documentation passed our EU audit on the first submission, and the bag’s performance matches our old PE mailers in every test. We’re rolling this out to 12 more European markets next quarter.”

— Marie Lefèvre, Head of Sustainable Packaging, DHL Express Europe