Skye Oudemans, sustainability manager at Sonoco, tells Packaging Scotland how paper packs are proving popular with pet food providers
AS demand for paper packaging continues to grow, Sonoco’s paper-based GREENCAN® is serving as the ideal solution in the pet food market.
Two recent examples of real-life customers who converted to paper-based packaging are NaturDrops and DoggyLove – both of whom partnered with Sonoco to bring health-focused dog snacks to market in Germany.
These customer case studies demonstrate how innovations in paper-based packaging are helping pet brands grow responsibly, while offering pet parents products that care for their animals, but help to minimise impact on the planet too.
NaturDrops: Functional snacks with a green focus
NaturDrops GmbH, launched in May 2025 by Michael and Tanja Weinand, is a new venture under the umbrella of Smart Food for Future GmbH. With expertise in retail and healthcare, the founders’ next move was to create natural dog snacks that support canine health by improving skin and coat, digestion, dental hygiene and tick prevention.
NaturDrops wanted to reflect its commitment to sustainability through its product and packaging. In light of this, it selected Sonoco’s paper-based GREENCAN® packaging solution, which is made of 96% paper, including 69% recycled content.
The packaging features barrier protection to maintain product freshness and is also easy for consumers to recycle.
“The decision to use a sustainable packaging solution like GREENCAN® was a natural fit for us,” said Tanja Weinand, co-founder, NaturDrops. “GreenCan’s high paper content and sustainable design give us the opportunity to make a bold statement, aligning perfectly with our brand culture.”
In addition to the innovative packaging, NaturDrops’ pet snacks – which were developed with input from vets to support canine gut health and nutrient absorption – also contain natural ingredients such as insect protein, sweet potato and a fermented herbal macerate of over 50 herbs.
DoggyLove: Reimagined with purpose
Pet food brand DoggyLove began as a family-owned butcher’s shop in 1956. In an unusual twist, inspired by their beloved labrador Peggy, owners Christoph and Konstanze Wirth launched DoggyLove in 2024 after consultations with veterinarians. The brand makes plant-based, organic dog treats to support canine health.
DoggyLove sought packaging that aligned with its brand ethos and ultimately chose Sonoco’s paper-based GREENCAN® for its local production, reduced lead times and circularity. The packaging solution features an integrated paper lid, allowing the entire can to be recycled in household paper streams without disassembly.
“GREENCAN® appealed to us on multiple levels,” said Christoph Wirth. “The sustainability credentials are important to us and our customers. The ability to use full-surface printing also enhanced our brand visibility.”
DoggyLove has received positive feedback from customers who view the packaging as both high quality and sustainable. Christoph also praised Sonoco’s hands-on support, highlighting that the partnership was ‘friendly, solution-oriented and efficient’.
