Plant waste converted into chemicals and nanotechnology could be the future of sustainable packaging.
The companies behind the technologies are the first to receive seed funding from Amcor’s Lift-Off initiative, launched in April.
Following multiple pitch rounds, the winners of the initial Lift-Off program are Bloom Biorenewables Ltd, a chemical and biomaterials company, which converts plant waste into chemicals used in packaging; and Nfinite Nanotechnology, an advanced materials company, which leverages smart nanocoatings to make packaging recyclable and compostable.
Each company will receive investments of US $250,000 and access to global packaging company Amcor’s research and development resources.
Frank Lehmann, Vice President, Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation at Amcor, said: “Amcor is continuously reimagining what is possible for packaging and our aim is to drive sustainability through unrelenting innovation. These initial investments are just the start, as Amcor will continue to invest in market disruptors and ways to elevate expectations for our industry.
“We’ve been very impressed with what Bloom and Nfinite Nanotechnology have to offer. Both start-ups are rooted in a culture of innovation and creativity, looking to break boundaries and disrupt the packaging industry as we know it.
“Going beyond traditional borders and uncovering the best and brightest ideas from across the globe will enable Amcor to take innovative leaps for the industry and environment.”
Bloom technology, a Swiss-based start-up, has developed a new type of polyester made from plants. The properties of this new biomaterial match both the mechanical and functional requirements needed for quality packaging and provide a more sustainable end-of-life solution, being both recyclable and biodegradable. Amcor’s investment in Bloom will support its continued growth and expansion.
Developed at the University of Waterloo, Nfinite Nanotechnology is a venture-backed start-up in Canada, revolutionising nanocoating to provide superior performance for keeping products fresh and enable the use of sustainable packaging at a commercial scale and cost.
Nfinite’s vapor deposited nanocoating is eco-friendly, solvent-free, ultrathin, multifunctional, and applied at low temperature in open air without a vacuum chamber. This will be a step-change in the field, unlocking new opportunities for process integration and scalability, offering endless breakthrough applications beyond packaging. Amcor’s investment will help the start-up scale its team as well as demonstrate, certify, and adopt its innovations for broadscale commercial use in the packaging industry.
Amcor Lift-Off is part of the organisation’s corporate venturing work focused on investing in innovative businesses and more sustainable packaging solutions to drive long-term growth.
For more information, visit: www.amcor.com
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