May 7, 2015 – Kimberly-Clark has announced it is launching a new slate of products that use renewable plant-based fiber, such as wheat straw in the making of Kleenex and Scott brand towel and tissue products. 

The paper products will be made with 20 per cent plant fiber in place of tree fiber or recycled fiber. These products required the development of an entirely new supply chain to directly obtain wheat straw from U.S. farmers and the creation of a first-of-its-kind manufacturing process for converting plant fiber into pulp, the company says.
“In a resource-constrained, digital world, with fewer sources of recycled fiber, and the need to put less pressure on natural forests, it’s important to continue exploring non-tree fibers,” says Iris Schumacher, North American sustainability leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional. “With the GreenHarvest line, Kimberly-Clark is pioneering a new approach to sustainable fiber sourcing and delivering innovative products with the quality and performance customers expect from our trusted brands.”
It was announced that by 2025, Kimberly-Clark hopes to source 50 per cent of the fiber in its products from alternative sources. GreenHarvest products being produced using bamboo are different than the GreenHarvest products using wheat straw. Users of commercial towels and tissues, such as schools, hotels and offices, will see the fiber source on the packaging.