With EU4Youth support, a young entrepreneur from Moldova is turning paper waste into sustainable packaging
Nearly half of the waste generated by companies comes from paper-based products – yet instead of being recycled, a large portion ends up being thrown away. For Valentin Railean, this reality was not just a statistic; it was a problem he witnessed every single day. Working in his parents’ printing house, the young man noticed that the production process left behind large amounts of paper scraps that were difficult to reuse.
Driven by a desire to reduce waste and create a viable economic solution, Valentin began developing a simple yet impactful concept: turning paper waste into recycled packaging for eggs, fruits, and vegetables – a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic packaging. The idea truly began to take shape when he joined the project “Building Back Better Through Social Entrepreneurship”, implemented by Junior Achievement Moldova as part of the EU4Youth programme. There, he received financial support, as well as the mentorship, training, and confidence he needed to turn the concept into a real business.
“I took part in several months of training, during which I developed the idea – from concept all the way to the final product. I ran the numbers, analyzed the market, and became convinced that the idea was genuinely good and could generate both profit and ecological impact. The main piece of equipment costs about $20,000. I secured funding from several sources, including grants, and with Junior Achievement’s help, I purchased part of the equipment”, says Valentin.
First steps toward launching production
One of the biggest challenges for any early-stage entrepreneur is finding customers before the product even exists. Without a prototype or actual production in place, everything depends on the entrepreneur’s ability to pitch the idea, explain its benefits, and earn the trust of potential clients.
“The hardest part was figuring out how to talk to potential customers when I didn’t yet have the equipment and wasn’t producing anything. During the training sessions, I found answers to those questions”, says Valentin.
Participation in the programme also gave him more than knowledge – it gave him valuable connections. It was there that he met an engineering specialist working in automation and machinery manufacturing. This person will help him build a drying line for the trays, which is clear proof that these initiatives create entire ecosystems, not merely individual businesses.
Equipment procured with grant support made production possible
Today, “Repack Company” transforms cardboard offcuts into a pulp that is then shaped and pressed into forms, becoming eco-friendly egg packaging. Although the field is complex, Valentin is convinced that this is the future.
“I was incredibly excited when the machinery arrived. These are 30-tonne machines – something truly massive. The first mould we’re using is for egg cartons. By summer, the drying line will be completed, and at that point I’ll be able to produce approximately 1,000 units per hour. That’s when we’ll launch large-scale production”, the entrepreneur explains.
Looking ahead, “Repack Company” plans to expand its product range to include packaging for fruits and vegetables, and even industrial packaging for perfumes and electronic components.
For young people who are hesitant about joining entrepreneurship programmes, Valentin has a clear message:
“I think it’s worth participating, because these programmes deliver real value. They help you structure your idea, conduct research, and understand whether it will actually work. It’s a kind of validation. Many people are afraid their idea won’t be accepted, or that they won’t be able to see it through to the end. But they shouldn’t be.”
The EU4Youth Phase III programme: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in Eastern Partnership countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The programme runs until mid-2026 and aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations in order to combat youth unemployment and improve employability.
