This article presents a comprehensive analysis of 10 emerging companies advancing the packaging industry with innovative solutions. These enterprises are pioneering the development of new biodegradable packaging solutions, utilizing a range of sustainable materials and technologies. Among the featured advancements are biopolymer alginate containers for reducing plastic use, mycelium packaging for eco-friendly shipping, and sugarcane pulp-based food containers for greener consumer options.
Additionally, innovative uses of spent grains offer an alternative to traditional packaging materials, while bio-based packaging additives enhance compostability and performance. Each company is at the forefront of its field, demonstrating the varied and growing potential of biodegradable packaging in reducing environmental impact across multiple sectors.
Continue reading to gain up-to-date and data-driven insights on:
- Profiles of 10 Emerging Biodegradable Packaging Solutions
- How to Scout New Biodegradable Packaging Solutions 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 biodegradable packaging industry. This sector is marked by key trends and a substantial workforce, shaping its future. Here are some key insights at a glance:
- Biodegradable Packaging Trends: Some of the major trends impacting the biodegradable packaging sector are mycelium-based packaging, algae-based packaging, bioplastic packaging, advanced paper packaging, and biodegradable packaging films.
- Biodegradable Packaging Industry Stats: The sector comprises 10K+ organizations worldwide. On average, it employs about 12 people in 900+ new companies founded in the last five years, witnessing 2020 as the average founding year. Moreover, the average funding received by the biodegradable packaging industry per round in the same span is USD 5.4 million.
- 10 Top Biodegradable Packaging Solutions:
- element6 Dynamics – Hemp-based Pulp & Packaging
- Magical Mushroom Company – Mushroom-based Protective Packaging
- mujō – Biopolymer Alginate
- CILKOA – Paper-based Barrier Packaging
- alterpacks – Organic Waste-based Circular Packaging
- Papkot – Transparent Paper Packaging
- PurePack – Bioplastic Packaging
- CorrPak – Paper Braces, Cases & Pallets
- Phitons – Bio-based Packaging Additive
- Love Nature – Sugarcane Pulp-based Food Packaging
Meet 10 out of 900+ New Biodegradable Packaging Solutions
In this segment, we explore 10 innovative companies redefining the biodegradable packaging sector. These organizations employ hemp-based packaging for sustainability, mushroom-based materials for compostable solutions, and organic waste-based circular packaging to minimize environmental footprint.
They also develop paper-based barrier packaging to replace plastics and incorporate bio-based packaging additives for improved degradation. By utilizing these technologies, they address critical environmental concerns through renewable resources and advanced decomposition processes. Discover the diverse and impactful advancements these companies bring to the packaging industry, setting new standards for eco-friendly practices.
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. element6 Dynamics
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: USA
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: element6 Dynamics tackles deforestation in the paper and packaging industries by developing a sustainable alternative — industrial hemp pulp. Its e6 Pulp, cultivated from hemp strains, delivers a higher cellulose concentration and significantly faster growth cycle compared to trees. This translates to about one acre of hemp providing the equivalent pulp output of four acres of forest, while also requiring less water and promoting soil health. Further, e6 Pulp utilizes a sulfur-free process, creating a more sustainable option throughout the production cycle. The company thus benefits paper, packaging, and bioproduct manufacturers seeking to implement environmentally conscious practices within their supply chains.
2. Magical Mushroom Company
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: UK
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: Magical Mushroom Company provides a biodegradable alternative to traditional packaging materials. Its patented Mushroom Packaging utilizes mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to form a protective and customizable packaging solution. This bio-based material boasts offers water resistance, biodegradability, and thermal insulation — while being cruelty-free and vegan. Additionally, the company offers a design service to tailor the packaging to specific product needs and uses a rapid prototyping process to ensure a perfect fit.
3. mujō
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Germany
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: Mujō develops biodegradable packaging materials from a fast-growing seaweed, kelp. Their core technology is alginate, a biopolymer that forms the base for packaging materials. The company offers a variety of alginate-based materials with customizable thickness, transparency, and texture, ensuring a perfect fit for diverse products. Unlike traditional plastics, Mujō’s solutions completely biodegrade after use, leaving no harmful residues. This sustainable approach benefits manufacturers with eco-friendly alternatives while promoting a healthier ocean environment, as kelp purifies water and removes CO2.
4. CILKOA
- Founding Year: 2022
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: France
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: CILKOA offers a solution for creating high-barrier paper packaging. Its patented technology deposits an ultra-thin layer of alumina (aluminum oxide) onto cellulose materials like paper and cardboard. This ceramic coating, only tens of nanometers thick, provides water resistance, oxygen, and moisture barriers, without compromising the recyclability or biodegradability of the paper. This innovation benefits paper packaging manufacturers seeking high-performance, sustainable solutions.
5. alterpacks
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: Singapore
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: Alterpacks tackles plastic waste in food packaging by offering home-compostable food containers using upcycled food waste and spent grains, a byproduct of brewing and food production. This process transforms waste into a new resource, diverting it from landfills. The resulting containers are FDA- and SFA-certified for safe food contact and come in various sizes with features like leak resistance and microwave compatibility.
6. Papkot
- Founding Year: 2020
- Employee Range: 2-10
- Location: France
- Signal Strength: Very Strong
- What they do: Papkot offers a ceramic coating technology, Papkot OS, that transforms paper into a high-performance biodegradable packaging material. This solution eliminates the need for plastic, fluorine, and other harmful chemicals. Papkot OS creates paper with various functionalities like water resistance, oil and grease barriers, and fire resistance. The coatings are compatible with recycled fibers and various paper processing techniques. This way, Papkot benefits environmentally conscious manufacturers looking for plastic packaging alternatives.
7. PurePack
- Founding Year: 2020
- Employee Range: 1-10
- Location: Netherlands
- Signal Strength: Weak
- What they do: PurePack offers sustainable packaging solutions for businesses. Its products include recyclable and biodegradable options like bioplastic and PaperWise packaging. Bioplastic packaging is available in various formats and is suitable for both food and non-food items. PaperWise, an agricultural waste-based sustainable paper solution, has a lower environmental impact than traditional paper and comes in various forms including cardboard boxes and envelopes. Moreover, businesses seeking customization are able to leverage PurePack’s digital printing service for flexible packaging.
8. CorrPak
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: USA
- Signal Strength: Weak
- What they do: CorrPak specializes in custom, sustainable structural packaging. Its engineered paper-based braces, cases (CorrLoc), and pallets offer a high strength-to-weight ratio for efficient shipping. CorrLoc cases replace foam and plastic for eco-conscious product protection. Their lightweight pallets are a cost-effective alternative to traditional wood options. This way, CorrPak caters to businesses looking for environmentally friendly strong packaging solutions.
9. Phitons
- Founding Year: 2021
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: India
- Signal Strength: Strong
- What they do: Phitons develops a bio-based additive Fibrocel for the paper and packaging industry. This micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC) product enhances the strength-to-weight ratio of corrugated paper, making it lighter yet stronger. Fibrocel also improves bonding properties, leading to durable packaging suitable for handling and transport. Additionally, it strengthens recycled fiber products and enhances the barrier properties of packaging materials, extending shelf life.
10. Love Nature
- Founding Year: 2019
- Employee Range: 11-50
- Location: Poland
- Signal Strength: Weak
- What they do: Love Nature manufactures disposable tableware using sugarcane pulp, a rapidly renewable resource. This bio-based material provides a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Its product line includes lunch boxes, plates, bowls, cutlery, straws, and cups. All Love Nature products are biodegradable and cater to environmentally conscious consumers and businesses.
Quickly Find New Biodegradable Packaging Solutions
Utilizing a SaaS platform like the Discovery Platform for identifying new biodegradable packaging solutions 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 biodegradable packaging innovations.
- Access to Real-time Insights: Gain a competitive edge with up-to-date information on the latest trends in the biodegradable packaging industry. The platform keeps you informed with near real-time updates on emerging biodegradable packaging and news, enabling you to make swift and informed decisions.
- Precise Scouting: Customize your search to focus on specific niches within the biodegradable packaging sector, such as biopolymer alginate, mycelium-based packaging, or bio-based packaging additives. 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.
Explore All New Biodegradable Packaging Solutions!
We’ve explored the dynamic landscape of the biodegradable packaging industry, examining the latest trends and spotlighting exceptional companies driving innovation. To dive deeper, download our free Packaging Report or schedule a demo of the Discovery Platform for a customized exploration of these groundbreaking developments.
