Sustainable Onion

Auxetic Packaging for Delhaize Red Onions (Fictional Project)

The use of paper packaging for Delhaize red onions is already a significant step forward. But it is possible to go even further in terms of eco-responsibility.

How? By eliminating all glues and additives to offer 100% paper packaging, without plastic, and truly eco-friendly. The key lies in the use of an innovative physical principle: auxetics.

Auxetics: A Functional Innovation

Auxetics is a specific cutting pattern that allows the paper to stretch and adapt to the shape of the product it wraps. This principle relies on precise laser cuts, forming a network of lines with varying lengths and spacing.

When force is applied (for example, to wrap the onions), these cuts open up, expanding the surface of the paper while maintaining its strength. The paper adapts perfectly to the 750 g of red onions without requiring additional materials.

A Design Inspired by the Onion

Visually, the chosen auxetic pattern takes on a circular shape, reminiscent of the internal layers of a sliced onion. The blue color imposed by the design brief evokes the raw and intense side of the onion, while the geometric typography, with its thick and angular shapes, symbolizes the onion’s sharp and bold character.

An Ecological and Functional Solution

This packaging combines aesthetics and functionality while minimizing its environmental impact. No plastic, no glue—only precisely cut paper. A sustainable alternative that perfectly aligns with today’s ecological expectations.