Materials science company Footprint and ingredient brand company Qwarzo have announced a strategic agreement to accelerate PE-free mineral-coated cup solutions.
The agreement sets out to support the continued development and scale-up of PE-free paper hot and cold cup solutions as well as lid and straw applications, using Qwarzo® technology.
The agreement brings together Footprint’s manufacturing platform, customer reach and experience in fibre-based packaging solutions with Qwarzo’s proprietary mineral-based coating technology, designed to provide “functional barrier performance while supporting recyclability and compostability.”
The collaboration is said to address growing demand from brands, foodservice operators and consumers for practical alternatives to traditional plastic-lined paper cups. These solutions are intended to help customers meet evolving regulatory requirements and sustainability goals while maintaining the performance expected in everyday use.
“Footprint is committed to bringing scalable, practical and high-performance alternatives to single-use plastics into the market,” said Corey Berends, Chief Executive Officer of Footprint. “Qwarzo’s mineral-based coating technology strengthens our ability to offer customers PE-free solutions that support recycling and composting pathways without compromising functionality.”
“This agreement represents an important step in accelerating the adoption of Qwarzo® technology globally and in demonstrating how our proprietary mineral-based coatings can contribute to the next generation of circular paper packaging,” said Alessio Facondo, Chief Executive Officer of Qwarzo.
Footprint and Qwarzo will work together to support the commercialization and industrial scale-up of mineral-coated applications across key markets, beginning in Europe and with the potential to expand further internationally.
In other news, Michelman has recently announced its bio-based, plastic free Nuvita Life 4002 and Nuvita Life 4605 coatings, designed to deliver high barrier performance while supporting recyclability and compostability for fibre-based retail food packaging applications.
Elsewhere, UK based materials company Kelpi has announced a partnership with Amcor, aiming to integrate its seaweed-derived barrier coatings into the company’s fibre-based packaging.
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