ams OSRAM and the Zumtobel Group have jointly developed an alternative to plastic spools for transporting LED strips and components. The paper spool significantly improves the environmental footprint: it weighs over a third less and produces over three-quarters fewer CO₂ emissions. The innovative spool does not incur any additional costs. With this development, the companies are taking a significant step towards sustainable supply chains in the electronics industry.

Paper has several advantages over plastic: While a plastic spool weighs 217 grams, a paper spool weighs only 140 grams – a reduction of around 35 percent. The extraction of raw materials, production, and disposal of a plastic spool generate approximately 1,075 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent emissions, whereas a paper spool weighs only 203 grams – a reduction of around 80 percent. In some regions, there are even fees associated with plastic disposal. Paper, on the other hand, is more easily recyclable and biodegradable.

Specifically: Replacing the more than half a million plastic spools used annually by ams OSRAM with paper spools would save approximately 108 tons of plastic and 436 tons of CO₂ emissions. At the same time, the transport weight would be reduced by 38.5 tons per year. Therefore, using paper not only lowers transport costs and waste, but also reduces CO₂ emissions along the entire supply chain – from production to disposal.

Sustainability meets industrial suitability.
The stability, handling, and cleanliness of the paper spool meet the stringent requirements of LED manufacturing and product safety. Extensive testing by ams OSRAM and the Zumtobel Group has demonstrated that paper spools offer comparable performance characteristics to plastic spools. The paper solution also proved its worth on the industry-standard SMT line, the highly automated production line for assembling printed circuit boards with electronic components – with the same efficiency and while maintaining its shape. Particle safety was also confirmed and meets the strict requirements of cleanroom environments. Furthermore, the paper spool is designed to hold the same number of components as its plastic counterpart.

Innovation through Trustful Collaboration
“The paper reel emerged from a trusting collaboration with our project partner, the Zumtobel Group, driven primarily by our team in Malaysia,” says Martin Bachler, Head of Sustainability at ams OSRAM. “Those who want to be more environmentally friendly must also put old standards to the test; this requires openness and courage.”
“The collaboration with ams OSRAM on the Paper Reel once again confirms that sustainability is a team sport,” says Bernhard Apsner, Senior Director Global Technical Purchasing at the Zumtobel Group. "We are delighted to have initiated this project and jointly developed a resource-saving packaging solution. This project aligns with the Zumtobel Group's sustainability strategy of not only becoming a more sustainable company ourselves, but also shaping a more sustainable future together with our customers and partners."
ams OSRAM and the Zumtobel Group pursued the idea together in close coordination until a market-ready solution was achieved. The paper reel is now in the advanced pilot phase and has already successfully completed customer qualification.

Sustainability without additional costs
Whether plastic or paper, material and production costs are comparable, while savings in logistics and disposal enable long-term cost advantages. The paper roll improves key sustainability indicators such as CO₂ footprint, material usage, and waste prevention along the supply chain, and supports customers in meeting their ESG requirements.

Experience it live at Light + Building 2026:
The paper spool is a flagship project for sustainable packaging solutions in the LED industry. Further steps towards scaling and integration into additional product lines, such as components for the automotive industry, are already being considered. ams OSRAM is also continuing to pursue recycling in order to consistently implement the circular economy concept.

Those interested can experience the paper spool at Light + Building in Frankfurt am Main, from March 8 to 13, 2026. At the trade fair, ams OSRAM will present the new transport solution to a broad professional audience for the first time.

In the area of ​​​​“responsible consumption and production” alone, which is Goal 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), ams OSRAM has protected more than 100 innovations – through more than 250 patents.

(Photo credit: ams OSRAM)

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