How did I, a software engineer by training, become the CEO of a packaging company? Here’s the story behind my journey.
Before founding TIPA, I led a research center on capital markets and had a successful career in software engineering. The world of packaging and plastics was far from my mind. The catalyst for change was an unexpected conversation at home. One day, I found myself arguing with my child about why they hadn’t brought their reusable water bottle back from school. The thought of plastic waste littering oceans for centuries weighed heavily on me.
For days, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be a solution. I wondered: what can we dispose of without guilt? The answer was simple: organic waste, like an orange peel, which naturally decomposes. I knew of biodegradable materials made from corn but was puzzled as to why they weren’t more widely used.
Then inspiration struck: what if water could be contained in a biodegradable bag? A package that could be consumed, and then discarded without harming the environment. With that idea, I met my co-founder, and we began developing biodegradable water bags. We recruited experts to help us find suitable materials. After six months, they returned with disheartening news—no existing biodegradable material met our needs.
Undeterred, we thought, that if humanity had managed to land on the moon, surely we could create a biodegradable bag. Little did we know the immense challenges ahead. That’s when TIPA was born.
The Challenge of Plastics
As we delved deeper, it became evident that developing a biodegradable solution for flexible packaging was complex. Conventional plastics and biodegradable alternatives are worlds apart in terms of properties and scalability. Moreover, we realized that flexible packaging was a major contributor to environmental waste, a segment that was not only vast but expanding.
The food industry has relied on plastics for decades due to its convenience and food-preserving qualities. However, plastic waste has become ubiquitous—littering streets, beaches, and parks. In supermarkets, almost every product is encased in plastic packaging. The food industry alone accounts for 66% of the volume and 50% of the weight of total packaging waste.
Recycling was often cited as the solution, but it mostly addresses rigid packaging like bottles. Flexible packaging, which is made of multi-layered materials, cannot be effectively recycled. The flexible packaging market, valued at approximately $270.96 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.8% from 2024 to 2030, exacerbating the issue. Current solutions involve either landfilling or incineration—options that are far from sustainable.
A Vision of Compostable Packaging – and Its Technology
TIPA’s vision emerged from this reality: imagine a package that behaves like an orange peel. You consume the food or beverage, and the package goes into the organic waste stream, decomposing fully and returning to nature. TIPA’s compostable packaging is designed to mimic the look, feel, and function of conventional plastic, but with one crucial difference: it’s entirely compostable.
Traditional biodegradable products, such as waste bags and disposable utensils, are known for their weakness and lack of versatility. TIPA overcame this by creating specialized formulations that enhance the properties of compostable materials. We start with sourcing the right resins and transforming them into proprietary compounds, then producing films that match the durability and functionality of conventional plastics. Our laminates are also 100% compostable, offering complete, eco-friendly packaging solutions.
The innovation extends from R&D to practical application. Our teams ensure that our products are compatible with existing packaging machinery, making the switch to compostable packaging seamless for manufacturers. This compatibility helps drive adoption and accelerates the shift towards sustainability.
What Lies in The Future of Flexible Packaging?
- As TIPA expands its reach, we have been advancing our development of high-barrier films and laminates for products such as crisps and dry foods, effectively addressing the needs of sectors that demand sophisticated packaging solutions. We are also advocating for standardized composting infrastructure around the world; greater access to composting would make it easier for consumers and businesses to adopt compostable solutions, fostering a circular economy that prioritizes planetary health.
- The plastics industry must lead by example, investing in research and development of compostable materials and promoting collaboration across sectors.
- Embracing AI-driven innovation can significantly enhance the efficiency and impact of composting systems. AI, combined with machine vision, can streamline waste sorting, enabling composting facilities to remove contaminants and manage larger volumes of waste effectively. Advanced technologies like hyperspectral imaging and digital watermarking improve the identification and sorting of compostable materials, ensuring they are processed under optimal conditions. Additionally, AI can accelerate the discovery and development of new compostable polymers, enhancing the variety and performance of sustainable packaging solutions.
- Supporting eco-friendly legislation and infrastructure is paramount. This approach will ensure that compostable packaging becomes the norm, transforming waste management and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Want to hear about how your business can switch to compostable packaging?Contact us now!
