Babybel Transitions From Cellophane to Paper Packaging

PARIS – Bel Group announced the global rollout of a new recyclable paper packaging for Babybel cheese products.

By 2027, all Babybel products — manufactured at five industrial sites and distributed in 50 countries — will be offered with responsibly sourced paper, the company said. Bel has set a goal of 100% packaging ready for recycling or compostable at home by 2030.  

Since late 2020, Babybel has used a bio-based, home-compostable cellophane. Transitioning to paper packaging represents a significant technical and industrial challenge, the outcome of several years of research and development, said Bel. Packaging plays a critical role: preserving product quality over time, ensuring microbiological safety and withstanding temperature variations, the company said.

Babybel’s red wax shell remains unchanged, as it is essential to product protection, integrity and taste, Bel said. 

The commercial rollout of Babybel's paper packaging has begun in the United Kingdom. The United States, Canada and Northern Europe will follow in 2026, before a global expansion across all 50 markets starting in 2027. At that time, 100% of Mini Babybel will use certified paper, ensuring sustainable forest management and full traceability, said Bel. 

"Transitioning Babybel to paper packaging is a true technical and industrial challenge," said Delphine Chatelin, director of RID at the Bel Group, in the company's press release. "It is not simply about replacing one material with another, it requires rethinking the entire protection system to ensure product quality and safety from production to consumption. Our objective is to offer consumers the same iconic and enjoyable experience while meeting their expectations for sustainability and convenience, with packaging that is environmentally responsible and perfectly adapted to the product’s lifecycle."