Packaging

Seaweed-based packaging startup Notpla announces it has completed a Series A+ round, securing £20 million (over $25 million) in equity fundraising, exceeding the company's initial target.

© Notpla

Seaweed Packaging Pioneer Notpla Secures £20 Million to Replace Single-Use Plastics in USA

Seaweed-based packaging startup Notpla announces it has completed a Series A+ round, securing £20 million (over $25 million) in equity fundraising, exceeding the company’s initial target. The new funds will be used to scale up manufacturing capabilities, broaden its plastic-free product range, and firmly establish a foothold in North American markets by driving a US expansion. The UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund (UB FIGG) led the funding round. Key investors included Catalytic Capital for Climate & Health (C3H), Horizons Ventures and Astanor Ventures. New participants, including the Schmidt Family Foundation, Radicle Impact, EIT Food’s AgriFoodInvest, Broadwater Cap, Kibo Invest, Rosebrook, Trousdale Ventures, and Ocean Born Foundation, also backed Notpla’s expansion. David Walker, UB FIGG’s senior partner, said, “Notpla’s innovative approach to sustainable packaging, particularly …

more

Organisations and brands:

2M Group of Companies

© 2M Group of Companies

2M Group Launches New Sustainable Packaging Unit Offering ‘Plug-and-Play’ Plastic Alternatives for Brands

The UK-based 2M Group of Companies announces the launch of Sustainable Packaging Technologies, a new business focusing on the development and commercialization of bio-based materials to eliminate unnecessary petroleum-based plastics from the supply chain. Leveraging its growing portfolio of biomaterial technologies and solutions, the new business aims to help brands meet the ever-increasing consumer demand for sustainability by offering’ plug-and-play’ plastic replacements across a wide range of consumer products. Industry expert James Nelson will lead the business from its headquarters in Milton Keynes, with support from Banner Chemicals, 2M Group’s leading materials sciences company. Nelson comments, “Our bio-based solutions will offer brands effective alternatives to plastic, delivering environmental responsibility without compromising on performance. We aim to act as a trusted partner between R&D material science …

more

Xampla's plastic-free Morro coating supplied to Huhtamaki

Image supplied

2M Group to Supply Xampla’s Plant Protein-Based Morro Coating to Global Packaging Provider Huhtamaki

2M Group of Companies has announced a multi-year deal to supply Xampla’s plastic-free Morro Coating polymer to global packaging producer Huhtamaki. The biodegradable coating, which is made from plant protein, will replace plastic barrier coatings at scale in takeaway boxes for a range of food service and on-the-go applications. The natural material is food contact safe and said to have excellent grease, water, and oxygen barrier performance. It is also free of polyfluorinated substances (“forever chemicals”) and exempt from the EU’s Single Use Plastic Directive. Xampla and 2M first announced their partnership in November 2023, revealing that 2M would manufacture multiple tonnes of Morro materials at its site in Milton Keynes, UK. The new deal with Huhtamaki is part of the latter company’s goal to …

more

Organisations and brands:

Kelli raised funds to bring to the market its seaweed coating that can replace plastic

© Kelpi

Kelpi Secures £4.3M in Oversubscribed Round to Replace Plastic with Seaweed Coating in Food & Cosmetics Packaging

Bristol-based sustainable packaging innovator Kelpi has secured £4.3 million in investment to scale and commercialize its seaweed-based packaging, which can replace single-use fossil fuel plastics in packaging for food, drinks, and personal care products. The round was led by Blackfinch Ventures, with participation from Green Angel Ventures, Kadmos Partners, QantX, Evenlode Foundation, and the South West Investment Fund. Follow-on investors, including Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC), One Planet Capital, and private angel investors, backed the material innovator in this round. The company initially sought £3 million and surpassed that target by raising £4.3 million, marking a significant milestone for Kelpi. The funds will be used to advance manufacturing and gain regulatory approval for the bio-based coatings. Additionally, the company will continue its commercial rollout, having …

more

Organisations and brands:

© Impossible Foods

The Psychology of Colour in Traditional and Plant-Based Meat Packaging

You may not realise it, but when you’re browsing food products, the colour of a product’s packaging can subtly influence whether you purchase it. In its latest New Food Hub guide, ProVeg International explores how colour is used in marketing traditional meat products and contrasts these strategies with those of plant-based alternatives. The guide also analyses the impact of colour choices on consumers and presents successful examples from both categories. Which colours are used in traditional meat packaging? Traditional meat packaging uses the following colours to convey different qualities – from juiciness to trustworthiness and everything in between. Red: Conventional meat products often feature red in their packaging and branding. This colour is associated with the natural appearance of meat, signalling freshness and appetising qualities. …

more

Saveggy raises funds to replace plastic around fruits and vegetables with its plant-based formula.

© Saveggy

Saveggy Raises €1.76M for Edible Fruit & Veg Coating as Solution to Plastic Packaging

Swedish startup Saveggy has raised €1.76 million (SEK 20M) for its plant-based alternative to plastic packaging designed to preserve the shelf life of vegetables and fruits and prevent food waste.  The startup’s plant-based coating is said to be the only alternative available offering the same shelf life extension as plastic packaging. Additionally, it is the only edible coating for fruits and vegetables with edible skin, such as cucumbers, apples, and eggplants, approved according to EU regulations. Starting with a solution for cucumbers, Saveggy will use the newly raised funds to produce this innovative material at an industrial scale and successfully bring it to market The round was led by impact investor Unconventional Ventures. LRF Ventures, Almi Invest GreenTech, and industry angels also backed the startup’s plastic-free …

more

Organisations and brands:

Dutch brands make half of recipes on packaging meat-free

© Jumbo

Seven Dutch Brands Agree to Make 50% of Recipes on Their Packaging Meat-Free

Following campaigning by animal rights group Wakker Dier, seven brands in the Netherlands — Conimex, Fairtrade Original, Jumbo, Knorr, Koh Tai, Patak’s, and Plus — have agreed to make 50% of the suggested recipes on their product packaging meat-free. Another two major brands — Grand’Italia and Lassie — already feature 50% vegetarian or vegan recipes, while Albert Heijn and Maggi have pledged to add plant-based tips to their packaging but not to remove meat from half of recipes. Just one of the brands approached, Honig, said it would not make any changes. After analysing 657 recipes on product packaging, Wakker Dier found that over 80% currently feature meat or fish. The group points out that the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends eating 60% plant-based …

more

Organisations and brands:

Impossible Foods new branding

© Impossible Foods

Impossible Foods Unveils Bold New Branding With Red Packaging to Target Meat Eaters

Impossible Foods has officially unveiled a bold new brand identity and packaging strategy at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California. The company’s strategic shift aims to leverage the “craveability of meat” to appeal to meat eaters at every touchpoint, including both on-shelf packaging and the company’s digital identity. Marking a notable departure from its previous teal and white branding, Impossible Foods has embraced a vibrant red aesthetic. This decision aligns with multiple insights suggesting that meat-eaters are more receptive to plant-based products when presented in red, as red is associated with flavor and taste. A recent study conducted by ProVeg International found that the color of packaging plays an instrumental role in shaping consumer preferences and behaviors, with red packaging being particularly effective …

more

Organisations and brands:

daring Teriyaki pack shot

© abillion

Meat-Eaters in the UK and USA More Likely to Try Plant-Based Meat in Red Packaging

A new study has concluded that meat-eaters are more willing to experiment with plant-based products that come in red packaging. The report, conducted by ProVeg International and titled, “The Power of Colour: Nudging Consumers Toward Plant-Based Meat Consumption,” provides insights into the influence of colours on consumer perceptions around flavour and appeal. ProVeg states that the careful choice of colouring has the “power to reshape consumer behaviour and prompt a shift toward plant-based meat”. The survey included 1,200 participants, predominantly omnivores, from the US and the UK. Participants were questioned on their feelings and opinions when exposed to vegetarian and vegan products packaged in a variety of warm and cool tones (green, blue, purple, yellow, orange, or red). The findings reveal that red was the …

more

Douglas has committed to make 80% of its corporate brands vegan by 2030 to align with the growing demand for cruelty-free beauty options.

© Douglas

Douglas Commits to Ensuring 80% of Private Brands Are Vegan & 100% Packaging Recyclable by 2030

The European omnichannel, premium beauty retailer Douglas has committed to ensuring 80% of its corporate brands are vegan by 2030 to align with the growing demand for cruelty-free beauty options. In addition, Douglas aims to make 100% of the packaging recyclable, recycled, or reusable by 2030. The company will prioritize using paper-based product packaging that complies with third-party certifications. And by 2025, it aims to make 100% of the relevant packaging for new launches meet the respective external standards. According to the company’s latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) report, it has already made significant progress towards these vegan goals. During the financial year 2022-23, 94% of its brand product launches were vegan, while 30% of the new products contained at least 90% of ingredients derived …

more

Organisations and brands:

UK’s natural materials company Xampla has secured $7 million in a funding round, to expand the production of its biodegradable, plant-based materials.

© Xampla

Morro by Xampla Set to Support Brands Away from Single-Use Plastics with $7 Million Investment

British natural materials company Xampla has secured $7 million in a funding round to expand the production of its biodegradable, plant-based materials at lower costs to support brands in moving away from single-use plastic. The funds will also expand the applications of Xampla’s new consumer brand, Morro, into new markets. This capital injection brings Xampla’s total investment to $17.6 million. Amadeus Capital Partners, Horizon Ventures, Cambridge Angels, Cambridge Enterprise, and Martlet Capital reaffirmed their support. Meanwhile, new investor CIECH Ventures, a clean tech backer and part of an international chemical group, also contributed to the round. Alexandra French, Xampla’s recently appointed CEO, commented, “This new funding will support the expansion of our Morro material into new territories and new applications and enable us to make …

more

Organisations and brands:

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Unveiling the Impact of Packaging Colour on Plant-Based Meat Consumption

While plant-based meats present various advantages, such as health and sustainability benefits, not all consumers readily choose them over their animal-based counterparts. The reasons for this hesitancy lie in persistent barriers to consumption. Food choices are influenced by common factors like taste, price, and health. However, the visual appeal of packaging also plays a crucial role, shaping consumer perceptions of these barriers. Remarkably, simply using appealing colours in product packaging has the power to reshape consumer behaviour and prompt a shift toward plant-based meat. When used in packaging, colour can attract attention, create positive associations, and enhance brand recognition.[1] Thus, it is crucial to understand how colour influences consumers’ purchase decisions in the context of plant-based meat products, particularly given the lack of research on …

more

Organisations and brands:

Daphna Nissenbaum headshot

Daphna Nissenbaum © TIPA

Op Ed: Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO of TIPA, on Sustainable Packaging During Veganuary

Daphna Nissenbaum is the CEO of global compostable packaging developer and manufacturer TIPA. She established TIPA in 2010 when she recognised that there was an urgent need to revolutionise packaging systems and reduce plastic pollution around the world. A proud female entrepreneur, Daphne’s leadership has resulted in the female-led business raising an impressive $70 million in its latest funding round. Many vegan brands frequently depend on plastic packaging to maintain the freshness of plant-based offerings. Nevertheless, Daphna emphasises the importance of embracing eco-friendly packaging solutions as a critical step in adopting a comprehensive approach to Veganuary. In this opinion piece, Daphne speaks to the need for consumers to demand that brands use environmentally friendly packaging to ensure veganism does not contribute to the plastic problem. …

more

A man dissolving a powder in a glass of water

© nicoletaionescu - stock.adobe.com

Generation Food Rural Partners Acquires Edible Packaging Company DisSolves, Inc

Big Idea Ventures announces the acquisition of Pittsburgh-based edible packaging company DisSolves as a part of its Generation Food Rural Partners Fund portfolio (GFRP). DisSolves, Inc. uses patented technology to create biodegradable and edible components made from natural, vegan ingredients that are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and are used to produce films and packaging materials for various applications, including encapsulants, nutraceuticals, and pods. The company’s proprietary films allow for the packaging of premeasured, individual servings of powdered products in user-friendly pods, enabling food and beverage companies to create more convenient and sustainable products. The GFRP Fund, a part of Big Idea Ventures, focuses on investing in the best food technology and agrotech companies globally. It targets intellectual property with potential for broad commercialization, particularly …

more

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Does The Colour Of Packaging Influence Consumer Willingness to Purchase Plant-based Meat Products?

When you’re out buying food, what draws you to a product? Is it the image on the packet? The appearance of the food, if you can see it? Or the colour of the packaging? New research conducted by ProVeg International takes a deep dive into packaging, exploring the psychology of colour for plant-based meat products. The exciting report will reveal the influence of packaging colour on consumer perceptions, and their willingness to engage with meat alternatives. To find out more ahead of publication, ProVeg’s New Food Hub interviewed research lead, Ajsa Spahic, Project Coordinator at ProVeg International. Read on for a sneak preview of a 14-minute interview and uncover the importance of colour nudging for your business. What inspired ProVeg’s focus on packaging and marketing …

more

Organisations and brands:

ProVeg plant-based packaging

Maximising Consumer Appeal With Strategic Plant-Based Packaging

A product’s packaging is its visual handshake with consumers; it’s the first interaction, where preconceptions are challenged and perceptions formed. Alternative protein products are in a unique position regarding their packaging. Often using novel ingredients and innovative production techniques, the aim is to entice consumers towards a product that might feel unfamiliar compared to an established animal product counterpart. Tackling these challenges and the host of pre-existing consumer assumptions that come with them, effective packaging is a key aspect of a product’s success. Secure a strong first impression, and you’ll position your product favourably in consumer minds, paving the way for repeat purchases. In its recent New Food Hub article, ProVeg International shares plant-based packaging best practices to boost your sales, with recommendations on colour …

more

Organisations and brands:

MadeRight develops fungi-based packaging

© MadeRIght

MadeRight Raises $2M for High-Performance Fungi-Based Packaging

Israeli startup MadeRight has raised $2 million in seed funding to further develop its fungi-based packaging solutions. The startup has created a solid-state fermentation process where mycelia turn industrial organic waste into biomass. Materials are then extracted from this biomass to form pellets that can be used in existing packaging manufacturing machines. When combined with bioplastics, the pellets have the potential to significantly improve performance and sustainability. The seed round was led by the incubator Fresh Start, with participation from Arkin Holdings and Arc Impact. It will be used to expand MadeRight’s development team, refine the production process, and enter new markets, with the goal of producing a commercially viable prototype by the end of 2024. “The great potential of MadeRight’s solution is to close …

more

Organisations and brands:

Kampala develops plant protein materials to replace single-use plastics

© Xampla

Xampla: Edible & Biodegradable Plant Protein Packaging to Replace the Most Polluting Plastics 

UK University of Cambridge spin-off startup Xampla develops natural, vegan, edible films, sachets, microcapsules, and coatings to help companies transition from single-use plastic to biodegradable packaging. After 15 years of research, the company has developed a “world-class” technology that uses plant protein or sustainable feedstocks to create drop-in, high-performance plastic replacements. Xampla claims its plant packaging provides protection and extends the shelf-life of ingredients and products.   Since the process does not involve chemical modification, the company’s materials can biodegrade entirely without interfering with recycling waste streams and are compatible with home or industrial compost. “Our technology is a world-first, capable of replacing the most polluting plastics at scale and delivering performance parity. At the end of their life, our materials can even be ‘bio-assimilated’ as food for microorganisms in …

more

Organisations and brands: