SmartSolve has launched PureNil 0 – a biobased, printable and ‘flushable’ pouching material for single-dose household cleaning products, designed to disperse in water.
Reportedly, single-dose detergent packaging is expected to grow more than 6% annually through 2035. The market is set to reach $6.3 billion over time.
While consumers increasingly demand both convenience and sustainability, many mono-dose formats such as laundry pods and dish detergent tabs are made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
SmartSolve warns that PVA formats are sometimes marketed as biodegradable, but points to research indicating that the polymer still contributes to microplastic pollution in water systems.
It also cites the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s statistic that only 53.9% of packaging and containers were recycled in the US in 2018, and As You Sow’s suggestion that approximately 40% of American households cannot access recycling comparable to trash disposal.
PureNil 0 is designed to disperse in water without leaving microplastics behind. It is thought to be safe for consumers to flush down the toilet and is hoped to overcome scepticism surrounding on-pack recyclability claims.
The packaging is believed to maintain strength and durability until its intended end-of-life stage, keeping the detergent securely packaged. At the same time, it is set to unlock accurate dosing to reduce overuse and waste.
The material is set to align with incoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements, with SmartSolve describing it as a ‘future-ready’ option for businesses.
PureNil 0 is recommended for sachets of dishwasher detergent, powdered laundry detergent, and toilet bowl cleaner. Other applications include drain care powders, multi-surface cleaner refill pouches, and single-dose cleaning sticks for multipurpose or personal care products.
“Brands now have a viable, scalable, and commercially available alternative that’s fully bio-based, plastic-free, and water-soluble,” said SmartSolve CEO Jon Jakubowski. “This is the kind of innovation that will help our partners lead, versus just keep up, in the sustainable packaging movement.”
SmartSolve will showcase PureNil 0 in the West Hall, Booth W-18110, at PACK EXPO International 2026 from 18–21 October.
In another development, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) previously ruled that OceanSaver must pull advertising for its laundry capsules, arguing that statements about their PVOH membrane – described as ’one of the good plastics that are dissolvable and fully biodegrade’ – were misleading.
Since then, Shellworks has announced that it raised $15 million in Series A funding to scale up global production for its plant-based Vivomer material, said to ‘biodegrade completely’ in the disposal stage. The new capital was expected to help the company expand into the wellness sectors in the United States and the European Union.
Dreco has also packaged its powder detergent in Mondi’s re/loop PillowBag, which contains 50% post-consumer recycled content and is recyclable in existing polyolefin streams.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
The ultimate guide to packaging innovation in 2026
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: what to know in 2026
Everything you need to know about global packaging sustainability regulation
No comments yet