This article presents 10 new active packaging companies advancing the packaging sector through innovative technologies. These companies offer solutions like temperature control mechanisms, bio-based materials, and more. They also provide compostable oxygen barriers that extend shelf life while being environmentally friendly, and eco-friendly packaging that minimizes ecological impact. Each company contributes significantly to its niche, providing key advancements that enhance product safety and sustainability. We updated this report 5 days ago. Noticed something’s off? Let’s make it right together — reach out!
Continue reading to gain up-to-date and data-driven insights on:
- Profiles of 10 Emerging Active Packaging Companies & Startups
- How to Scout New Smart Packaging Companies Easily
Key Takeaways
Drawing insights from the Big Data & AI-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform that provides data on over 4.7+ million emerging companies globally, we explore the evolving landscape of the active packaging industry. This sector is marked by key trends and a substantial workforce, shaping its future. Here are some key insights at a glance:
- Current Active Packaging Trends: Some of the major trends impacting the active packaging industry are sustainable materials, Internet of Things (IoT) integration, interactive packaging, biodegradable solutions, and edible packaging.
- Active Packaging Industry Stats: The sector comprises 2.5K+ organizations worldwide. Out of these, 180+ new active packaging companies were founded in the last five years, with 2020 as the average founding year. On average, each of these companies employs about 15 people. Moreover, the average funding received by the active packaging industry per round in the same span is USD 5 million.
- 10 New Active or Intelligent Packaging Companies & Startups to Watch:
- agreenet – Eco-friendly Packaging
- StenCo – Compostable Oxygen Barrier
- Banana Leaf Technology – Organic Bio-based Materials
- Licopharm – Temperature-Controlled Packaging
- FlexSea – Seaweed-derived Material
- ENCAPSULAE – Additives for Food Packaging
- GreenPod Labs – Postharvest Solutions
- ECKO-PACK – Intelligent Food Packaging
- Fruitortal – Inflatable Fruit Packing Basket
- Elite Meat – Modified Atmosphere Meat Packaging
Discover 10 out of 180+ Emerging Active Packaging Companies & Startups
In this section, we explore 10 new active packaging companies advancing the industry with solutions like compostable oxygen barriers and organic biobased materials. These firms also develop temperature-controlled packaging and incorporate seaweed-derived materials. Each company leverages different technologies to enhance packaging effectiveness and environmental responsibility.
Note on Signal Strength
One of the unique metrics we feature for each company is Signal Strength, a proprietary data point generated by our Discovery Platform. It gauges the extent to which a company’s influence has permeated the global ecosystem of startups, scaleups, and emerging companies. This proprietary metric serves as a valuable guidepost for understanding a company’s standing in the broader market landscape.
1. agreenet
- Founding Year: 2022
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Italy
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: agreenet develops materials that improve the shelf life of fresh foods while minimizing environmental impact. The company’s active biopolymers reduce food waste and plastic usage in the food industry. Its PìFresc is a freshness-saving pod that releases natural ingredients within the packaging to inhibit mold growth and preserve the quality of fresh fruits. The company also utilizes sustainable biodegradable materials to meet specific customer needs. This benefits food producers and consumers by reducing food spoilage and extending product freshness.
2. StenCo
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: USA
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: StenCo offers StenCoat, a biodegradable film that removes oxygen to improve the preservation of packaged goods. It is applied to existing substrates to extend product shelf life by preventing oxidative reactions and the growth of aerobic microorganisms. Additionally, the company makes this technology accessible and affordable using water-based, vegan-friendly components. This also allows package manufacturers to integrate eco-friendly practices.
3. Banana Leaf Technology
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: India
- Signal Strength: Strong
- What they do: Banana Leaf Technology converts natural plant leaves into a high-performance biomaterial. It utilizes an eco-friendly seven-step process to improve the banana leaf’s shelf life and usability. This provides a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics and papers used in disposables. The company thus benefits manufacturers seeking eco-friendly material alternatives.
4. Licopharm
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Germany
- Signal Strength: Strong
- What they do: Licopharm manufactures advanced packaging solutions for the secure transportation of temperature-sensitive medical and pharmaceutical products. Its Licopharm WRAPandCOOL utilizes ecological insulating paper packaging made from cellulose fibers to provide effective insulation and maintain required temperatures during transit. It is also pre-qualified under GDP guidelines and integrates ecological insulating mats with various cooling devices. Licopharm further utilizes recyclable materials to reduce waste and dependency on non-sustainable resources.
5. FlexSea
- Founding Year: 2020
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: UK
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: FlexSea provides packaging solutions using a seaweed-derived biomaterial. The company’s biomaterial features high barrier qualities and customizability for packaging dry food items and other products that require protection from moisture and oxygen. This allows businesses to reduce their environmental footprint and the biomaterial caters to industries like food, cosmetics, and textiles.
6. ENCAPSULAE
- Founding Year: 2018
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Spain
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: ENCAPSULAE manufactures functional additives for active and intelligent packaging. Its technology encapsulates materials such as zeolites and microcapsules to manufacture containers that preserve food products that degrade in a few days. ENCAPSULAE’s additives feature oxygen absorption, bacterial reduction, and antioxidant release to improve food preservation without competing with food crops or using harmful chemicals.
7. GreenPod Labs
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: India
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: GreenPod Labs utilizes natural plant extracts to slow down the ripening process and reduce microbial growth. The company’s material features a gas-permeable membrane, a protective layer, and active ingredients. It minimizes food waste through natural solutions that enhance the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. This way, the company extends the longevity of perishable goods and reduces food spoilage.
8. ECKO-PACK
- Founding Year: 2020
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Germany
- Signal Strength: Medium
- What they do: ECKO-PACK offers ECKO-TRAY, a sustainable food packaging solution to reduce plastic use. It is available in fresh white fiber and partially recycled brown cardboard. The design of ECKO-TRAY allows for easy separation of cardboard and plastic components to improve recyclability. The company’s packaging is suitable for various food types, including frozen, chilled, and non-refrigerated items, as well as offers additional space for items like spices without direct food contact.
9. Fruitortal
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Iran
- Signal Strength: Weak
- What they do: Fruitortal provides an inflatable, nanocoated fruit packaging basket. It maximizes fruit retention by using adjustable inflatable layers that provide customizable cushioning to reduce physical damage during transportation. Additionally, its nano-coating extends the shelf life of the fruits by controlling antibacterial properties and preventing spoilage. These features ensure that fruits remain fresh and intact for longer periods, significantly reducing waste and enhancing overall quality.
10. Elite Meat
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Canada
- Signal Strength: Weak
- What they do: Elite Meat develops packaging solutions that extend the shelf life of red meat products. Its film wraps have quantum dot graphene oxide nanoparticles to enhance packaging effectiveness. This allows for the precise control of the atmosphere within packages by balancing oxygen levels to maintain the desired color and freshness of meat products.
Quick Tip to Find New Active Packaging Companies & Startups
Utilizing a SaaS platform like the Discovery Platform for identifying new active packaging companies provides significant benefits compared to traditional scouting methods:
- Increased Efficiency: The Discovery Platform offers advanced tools that streamline the scouting process. It replaces your hours of conventional desk research, saving time and resources in identifying active packaging innovations.
- Access to Real-time Insights: Gain a competitive edge with up-to-date information on the latest trends in the active packaging industry. The platform keeps you informed with near real-time updates on emerging active packaging solutions and news, enabling you to make swift and informed decisions.
- Tailored Exploration: Customize your search to focus on specific niches within the active packaging sector, such as seaweed-derived materials, additives for food packaging, or postharvest solutions. The platform’s diverse filtering options allow you to target your scouting efforts precisely, ensuring that you find the most relevant and groundbreaking companies in the field.
Ready to Explore All New Active Packaging Solutions?
This overview highlights just a few active packaging solutions from all 180+ new companies currently covered by the Discovery Platform. To explore them all, book a personalized demo or download one of our free Industry Innovation Reports for a quick overview. We seek partnerships with industry experts to deliver actionable insights into startups and tech. Interested? Let us know!
