Cutting Plastic from Fiber Optic Packaging with HUBER+SUHNER

Packaging often feels invisible, yet it plays a critical role in the environmental footprint of global industries. For HUBER+SUHNER, a leader in fiber optic technology, the shift from plastic to recyclable paper was made possible through Vela™, the sustainable alternative to plastic polybags. This change isn’t only about packaging — it’s about proving how Vela™ helps companies drive measurable sustainability impact while delivering practical benefits for their customers.

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Tackling the Packaging Crisis

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By 2050, the weight of plastic in our oceans is expected to surpass the weight of fish if nothing changes. In industries like fiber optics, where millions of components are shipped every year, plastic packaging has long been the default. This created unnecessary waste, complicated disposal processes, and contributed to the global plastic crisis.

This is exactly the challenge Vela™ was created to solve: providing a scalable and recyclable alternative to single-use plastics, enabling companies like HUBER+SUHNER to act decisively

From Plastic to Paper

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Together with Vela™, HUBER+SUHNER redesigned its packaging for indoor fiber optic cable assemblies. The new packaging uses dust-free, FSC-certified paper bags and paper cable ties that are:

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• 100% recyclable, replacing single-use plastics
• Lighter and easier to transport, reducing shipping costs
• Efficient to handle, with easy-open features that cut installation time
• Protective and clean, preventing contamination during installation
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This shift proves that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.

Measurable Impact

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The transition is already delivering measurable results. By adopting Vela™ packaging, HUBER+SUHNER is eliminating over 2.2 million single-use plastic bags every year, making a significant dent in packaging waste. At the same time, packaging-related CO₂ emissions have been cut by around 50%, with results verified through ISO 14040 data. With materials sourced regionally, transport emissions are further reduced, while customers benefit from faster installation and simpler, cost-free disposal.

By embedding sustainability directly into packaging design with Vela™, HUBER+SUHNER is not only reducing its environmental impact but also helping global data center leaders and other customers meet their own ambitious sustainability goals.