Both are sustainable wrapping papers. Both look and feel natural. And both are a better choice than conventional plastic or virgin paper. But they come from completely different raw materials, and they tell different stories.
Here's what florists need to know.
What is Silphie Paper?
Silphie Paper is made from the fibers of the Silphium perfoliatum plant, a perennial crop grown in Germany that was originally cultivated for biogas energy production. The paper fibers are a by-product of that energy process. What would otherwise go to waste becomes the raw material for paper, developed in collaboration with OutNature and processed locally in Germany.
The paper contains 35% Silphie plant fibers, combined with FSC certified paper. So while it's not entirely tree-free, the FSC certification ensures that the wood fibers come from responsibly managed forests, and the Silphie content reduces the dependency on virgin wood pulp.
What makes this material special is what the Silphium plant does for the land around it. Its long flowering season supports pollinators and local ecosystems. Its continuous ground cover prevents soil erosion and improves water retention. It grows back year after year without replanting, and it sequesters carbon in the soil. Cultivated and processed in Germany, the supply chains are short and the carbon footprint of transport is low.
The paper has a warm, natural look with a textured surface that complements any bouquet. Silphie Paper won the Greenovation Award 2024 at the Royal FloraHolland Trade Fair via Decowraps Europe (our Mother company).
Available at TFWS as:
Silphie Prefold · Silphie Open Prefold · Silphie Sheet · Silphie Roll · Silphie Skirt · Silphie Magnolia Skirt
What is Paperwise Paper?
Paperwise paper starts in the field after harvest. Every harvest leaves behind stems, husks, and leaves that are typically burned or left to decompose. Paperwise collects those residues, from wheat, rice, sugarcane, and other crops, and extracts cellulose from them. Cellulose is the basic ingredient for paper that is traditionally obtained from trees. By extracting it from plant residues instead, trees are saved.
At least 80% of every Paperwise Paper sheet is made from this agricultural waste. That makes it genuinely tree-friendly, not just responsibly sourced. The environmental numbers speak for themselves: Paperwise is 47% better for the environment than conventional paper, and saves significant CO2 compared to both virgin and recycled paper alternatives.
It is fully recyclable, home and industrially compostable, and food-safe with ISEGA certification. The texture is unmistakably natural. You can feel the fibers in the paper. That is not a design choice, it is the material showing you exactly where it came from.
Paperwise is also a social enterprise. Through its connection with the Propal Foundation, a portion of proceeds supports communities in the countries where the agricultural residues are collected, contributing to clean water, education, and fair work.
Decowraps Europe (our Mother company) is the first floral packaging company in the world to bring Paperwise Paper into the floral industry.
Available at TFWS as:
Paperwise Roll · Paperwise Prefold · Paperwise Sheet · Paperwise Skirt · Paperwise Sleeve
So what's the difference?
Both papers are a better choice than conventional packaging. Both have a natural look and feel that your customers will notice. But the raw materials and the stories behind them are different.
Silphie Paper is 35% made from the fibers of a plant grown specifically for circularity in Germany. The remaining 65% is FSC certified paper from responsibly managed forests. It supports local biodiversity, improves soil health, and is produced with short supply chains close to home.
Paperwise is made from at least 80% agricultural waste that would otherwise be burned or discarded. It requires no trees at all for the majority of its content, has the strongest environmental certification in the market, and supports farming communities across three continents.
If you want a European story rooted in local agriculture and biodiversity, Silphie is your paper. If you want the strongest environmental credentials and a fully tree-friendly choice, Paperwise is the one.
Both are available now at TFWS. The right choice depends on the story you want to tell your customers.
Explore our full sustainable range
Both materials are available in multiple formats, from rolls and sheets to prefolds, sleeves and skirts.