Zafree Papers & 100+ Accelerator Win Big at the Sustainability Awards 2025!
First African company ever to win at the “Nobel Prize of the packaging industry”.
The winners of the Sustainability Awards 2025 — widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize of the packaging industry” — have been announced, and we are honored to share that Zafree Papers, in collaboration with the 100+ Accelerator and AB InBev, has secured two major awards, including the event’s Overall Winner.
This milestone marks the first time in the history of the awards that a company from Africa has earned this global distinction — a moment that highlights a powerful truth:
Innovation can come from anywhere and shape the future everywhere.
AWARD 1 — Overall Winner
Zafree Papers & 100+ Accelerator
Entry: “Tree-Free Folding Cartons Made from Agricultural Waste”
Description:
Awarded the highest honor, this innovation transforms locally sourced agricultural waste — including barley straw, sorghum, banana pseudostems, and other natural fibers — into recyclable, tree-free folding cartons. The process eliminates chemical bleaching, reduces deforestation, decreases CO₂ emissions and water use, and provides meaningful income to Ugandan farmers.
AWARD — Renewable Materials Award
Zafree Papers & 100+ Accelerator
Entry: “Scaling Tree-Free Virgin Pulp and Kraft Liner Using Agricultural Waste”
Description:
Celebrated for excellence in renewable materials, the project uses a circular process that repurposes all byproducts into vermi-fertilizer and vermi tea. Through the 100+ Accelerator, Zafree has already produced tree-free corrugate for AB InBev’s Hansa Beer and created folding cartons for Nile Special and Eagle brands — showcasing scalable, real-world impact.
In a historic moment for the continent, Zafree Papers emphasized the global significance of this recognition:
“This reflects that innovation can come from anywhere and have global relevance. Real change has to start with the materials we choose, and where they come from.”
The team highlighted Africa’s untapped potential:
“In Africa, there is so much agricultural waste available. We focused on banana waste because the fibers can be produced at scale.”
This award not only celebrates a breakthrough in material innovation — it amplifies Africa’s role in shaping a regenerative global supply chain.
With plans to expand to a production capacity of 100 tons per day, Zafree Papers aims to scale tree-free packaging materials across additional AB InBev markets and beyond, offering a transformative pathway for reducing the environmental footprint of the beverage sector and other global industries.
Even though visa delays prevented the Zafree leadership team from attending the ceremony, the company was proudly represented in the Netherlands by Farida Bensadoun, who carried the team’s vision with grace and pride.
Farida Bensadoun, Global Packaging Manager at AB InBev, stands proudly as she receives the awards on behalf of Zafree Papers and the 100+ Accelerator.
This win is more than an award — it is a collective achievement. As Zafree beautifully expressed:
“This win isn’t just for Zafree — it’s for Ethiopia, for Africa, and for everyone who believed in us.”
Congratulations to Zafree Papers and the entire 100+ Accelerator ecosystem!
Together, we continue pushing boundaries — proving that big ideas can drive real, lasting impact.