Globally, there is a big push to develop the next generation of packaging solutions that are easier to make, use, reuse, and dispose of in a safe and environmentally-conscious manner. Explore five emerging and diverse lightweight packaging solutions developed by startups in this data-driven report.
Out of 105, the Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Lightweight Packaging Startups
Startups such as the examples highlighted in this report focus on plastic-free eCommerce packaging, plant-based food packaging, paper-based electronics packaging, and upcycled packaging. While all of these technologies play a significant role in advancing packaging, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. This time, you get to discover five hand-picked lightweight packaging startups.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the geographical distribution of 105 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights five packaging startups that we hand-picked based on scouting criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these five startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 100 lightweight packaging startups, get in touch with us.
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Woola creates Plastic-free eCommerce Packaging
Founding Year: 2019
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Funding: USD 2,82 M
Innovate with Woola for Compostable Packaging
Estonian startup Woola produces a packaging material using leftover sheep wool to replace plastic packaging. Its products include a shock-proof and petrol chemical-free wool envelope, a protective sleeve for glass bottles, and a bubble wrap alternative made of upcycled wool. Besides this, the material has high elasticity, water repellency, and resistance to temperature extremes, while providing extra cushioning for items within the packaging. Woola’s upcycled waste wool-based packaging reduces the reliance on plastic packaging for the growing eCommerce industry.
Bambrew creates Plant-based Food Packaging
Founding Year: 2018
Location: Bangalore, India
Funding: USD 2,35 M
Use Bambrew for Eco-friendly Packaging
Indian startup Bambrew manufactures eco-friendly products from bamboo, sugarcane, and seaweed. Its packaging products are lightweight, durable, reusable, and fully biodegradable and use no chemicals or pesticides in their production. This includes bamboo straws, cutlery, takeaway containers, e-commerce packaging, and dry packaging. Thus, Bambrew enables restaurants and cafes to transition to biodegradable, reusable, and affordable cutlery.
Outlander Materials offers Upcycled Packaging
Founding Year: 2019
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Partner with Outlander Materials for Circular Packaging
Dutch startup Outlander Materials creates a functional, compostable, and non-plastic packaging alternative using food waste. Its material, UnPlastic, constitutes of food industry waste sources, waste by-products, and beer waste. Thus, they will never break down into micro- or nano-plastics. The startup’s packaging material is flexible, lightweight, transparent, colorless, odorless, and free of toxins, allergens, and animal products. Moreover, it also acts as a barrier against fats, oils, and oxygen, to preserve organic products. Outlander Materials, thus, not only increases food shelf life but also reduces food waste using a circular economy.
Replated provides Reusable Food Takeaway Containers
Founding Year: 2018
Location: Bondi Junction, Australia
Collaborate with Replated Materials for Single-use Packaging Alternative
Australian startup Replated offers recycled meal box containers to eliminate single-use containers in takeaway food. Its lightweight containers are made from recycled single-use plastic, microwave safe, spill-proof, durable, and suitable for commercial and domestic dishwashers. Besides this, its products are food safe and do not contain bisphenol A (BPA). Replated also accepts returned containers and turns them into flake which is reused in their future products.
Flexi-Hex offers Paper-based Electronics Packaging
Founding Year: 2017
Location: Porthleven, UK
Funding: USD 2,3 M
Work with Flexi-Hex for Fragile Product Transportation
UK-based startup Flexi-Hex develops sustainable packaging materials that are plastic-free, recyclable, compact, protective, and easy to assemble. Its product, Flexi-Hex Air, is a tissue paper-based packaging sleeve to protect electronic products. The lightweight sleeve is made from over 76% recycled content, adapts to all shapes and sizes, and contains an inner layer of protective packaging for impact resistance. Moreover, FlexiHex’s sleeves integrate into wider packaging solutions to increase its utility in electronic packaging.
Where is this Data from & how to Discover More Packaging Startups?
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. The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2 093 000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & lets you scout relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks. To explore packaging technologies in more detail, let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, download our free Packaging Innovation Report to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
