Sustainable food packaging pioneer W-Cycle, Ltd. is deepening its alliance with Melhoramentos to answer demand for plastic-free, compostable food containers through its breakthrough packaging formula. The publicly traded Brazilian company with activities spanning publishing, renewable forestry, and real estate has injected fresh investment into W-cycle, propelling its innovation journey into the realm of eco-responsible packaging development. The move follows a USD 3.4 million strategic partnership sealed in November 2024 between the two entities to supply Melhoramentos W-Cycle’s proprietary food-grade packaging composition, with exclusive rights to serve the Latin American market.
During the past 18 months of the collaboration, Melhoramentos has been consulting with W-cycle on effectively integrating cellulose fibres that are sourced from its own 80 million square metre renewable forestry operations. A portion of Melhoramentos’ pulp is being redirected from traditional use within the paper and cardboard production industry toward the production of high-performance compostable food containers, giving the natural and abundant material new purpose.
Commented Rafael Gibini, CEO, Melhoramentos: “Having successfully merged our raw materials with W-Cycle’s truly ground-breaking solution and after a year and a half of consultations and professional support, this proven and tested innovation and collaboration, makes this latest investment the logical next step forward.”
Added Isaac Rome, CEO, W-Cycle: “We are excited and feel fortunate to collaborate with Melhoramentos in moving our venture forward. Our shared mission to improve the global food packaging value chain will help build a sustainable future for all. The financial support from this leading company gives us significant R&D leverage and acceleration into large-scale commercial deployment with multi-million-dollar revenue.”
W-Cycle, a clean-tech start-up, is breaking new ground within the molded fibre space with the creation of its innovative range of food-grade SupraPulp™ formulas. SupraPulp helps molded fibre producers manufacture a new generation of food compliant, eco-friendly trays and containers that are as robust as plastic yet require no plastic lamination and fully decompose back to the earth after use.
The new infusion of capital W-Cycle intends to expand and upgrade its R&D department to further fine tune the capabilities of its packaging solutions and accelerate development of new formulations. The funding also will help scale W-Cycle’s operations, bolster its sales teams with top-tier professionals, support growth strategies, and widen its market presence.
Continued Mr Gibini: “Our collaboration with W-Cycle represents a watershed moment. It is paving the way for us to channel our raw materials toward solving one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges: the plastic waste crisis. This partnership has simultaneously opened a significant new market for us. Our new packaging meets the environmental and regulatory demands for providing our clients with a safe, efficient, and competitive option. Moreover, by producing locally, we ensure supply agility and contribute to strengthening the national production chain.”
Concluded Mr Rome: “This investment not only solidifies our strategic alliance with Melhoramentos, unlocking powerful synergies. It also opens new doors to new solutions that can tangibly address the rising calls for high-performance materials sourced from renewable resources that can effectively replace single-use plastic containers.” For more visit w-cycle.com
