Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the packaging industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked plant-based packaging startups.
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Plant-based Packaging Startups out of 242
The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2.093.000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the distribution of the 242 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights 5 plant-based packaging startups that we hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these 5 startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 237 plant-based packaging solutions, get in touch.
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Embelium L’emballage Cultivé Cultivates Plant Fibers for Packaging
With growing consumer awareness and investment in products that produce minimal waste, consumers expect companies to implement sustainable practices. Hence, e-commerce businesses re-imagine their packaging operations to adopt sustainable practices without compromising on the quality of packaging. Startups create packaging by cultivating environmentally-friendly materials that are suitable alternatives for plastic packaging.
Embelium l’emballage cultivé is a French startup that offers cultivated packaging solutions. The startup grows Embellium, a combination of different plant fibers from hemp, corn cobs, and mycelium. As a result, Embellium-based packaging is impact-resistant, non-flammable, and sound-proof. Further, the packaging material is compostable and reusable. Embelium is an ideal material for secondary packaging of delicate items like glass jars or bottles.
Biorgani produces Plant-based Resins
The majority of the packaged goods are plastic-based and are usually discarded after a single use. Considering the severe environmental impact of plastic, companies and brands turn to reusable, recyclable, or compostable solutions. The issue for the businesses is to find a solution that does not compromise the packaging requirement while ensuring a low carbon footprint. To this end, startups offer biodegradable plant-based polymers as an alternative for plastic packaging.
Biorgani is a startup in Guatemala that makes high-quality and affordable plant-based biopolymers. Using their bio-resin technology, the startup enables agriculture, healthcare, food, and beverage companies to migrate from plastics to plant-based packaging. Their resins range from bio-based grade up to compostable grade and are also compatible with conventional plastic machinery. The startup currently develops tableware, cutlery, bags, and films for the food & beverage industry.
Sana Packaging manufactures Hemp-based Packaging
Every year, 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans, a result of single-use packaging products like plastic pouches, paper bags, and corrugated boards. Due to the huge amounts of packaging waste, suppliers look for solutions to shift towards a circular packaging economy. Startups aid this transition by creating 100% plant-based and chemical-free packaging. For example, the hemp plant is a rotational crop, regenerative, requires less water, and remediates the soil it is grown in. Hence, startups see it as a promising raw material for packaging.
US-based startup Sana Packaging develops eco-friendly packaging solutions. They design and manufacture hemp-based packaging products to facilitate sustainable packaging. The startup’s hemp products are resistant and versatile, making them ideal raw materials for bioplastic-based packaging. Apart from the plant-based packaging, the startup also offers packaging from 100% reclaimed ocean plastic and helps its customers significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
Jordisk makes Packaging from Sugarcane
According to the World Economic Forum, plastic production increased 20 folds in the last 50 years, a lot of which is used in the packaging industry. In view of the current situation, industrialists understand the need to move their businesses towards sustainable solutions that allow them to remain competitive. Startups experiment with various natural materials to develop packaging solutions. For example, personalized packaging products derived from plants are rising in demand.
Jordisk is a Norwegian startup making plant-based packaging derived from sugarcane. The startup extracts polylactic acid (PLA) from sugarcane to create packaging solutions. They offer PLA bottles that are industrially compostable and are suitable for packaging a range of food and beverages like water, juice, smoothies, honey, and dairy products. Jordisk’s products are also approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), REACH, and Intertek. Moreover, the startup’s products directly contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #12, #14, and #17.
Compost Me develops Compostable Food Packaging Solutions
Packaging materials make up a significant portion of solid waste in landfills and water bodies. The large amounts of waste from food packaging is a global issue. As a start, countries have partially or completely banned single-use plastic. However, the big challenge is to find an alternative that is compostable but doesn’t compromise on the shelf life of food items. Startups take note of this demand and develop home-compostable single-layer laminate packaging that prevents food from going stale.
Compost Me is a New Zealand-based startup that offers compostable food packaging solutions. They provide home-compostable barrier and laminate packaging. The startup creates products from corn starch, plants, trees, and compostable polymers. As a result, the product decomposes in 26 weeks, without releasing toxic residues. This serves as a sustainable alternative for degradable and traditional plastics. Compost Me provides packaging for food items such as chocolates, biscuits, and fruits.
Discover more Packaging Startups
Packaging startups, such as the examples highlighted in this report, focus on plant-based resins and fibers, as well as packaging from sugarcane and hemp. While all of these technologies play a major role in advancing sustainable packaging, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. To explore more novel packaging solutions, simply get in touch to let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, you can download our free Packaging Innovation Report to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
