The 2025 Packaging Startup Awards, organised by ThePackHub and sponsored by Ocado Retail, honoured five groundbreaking start ups at the recent Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 exhibition, recognising their contributions to sustainable packaging solutions.
Blue Ocean Closures, PulpaTronics, GreenEvo, Cauli, and AeroFlexx were recognised across five categories for their solutions, with PulpaTronics also securing the Packaging Startup of the Year Award. Their innovations span a range of sustainability challenges, from reducing plastic waste and improving recyclability to enabling reuse systems and lowering carbon footprints.
‘Start ups drive true innovation and challenge the status quo,’ said Paul Jenkins, founder of ThePackHub. ‘They experiment with new materials, processes, and technologies and often pioneer breakthroughs that larger companies find too complex or are too afraid to pursue. Start ups truly are the pioneers. They are risk takers, bringing fresh thinking and disruption. They offer new perspectives, unconventional ideas, and the agility to challenge traditional packaging models and industry norms. For a thriving packaging industry, it is crucial to have start ups emerging within the business, generating exciting new ideas for us to explore and capitalise on.’
Blue Ocean Closures won the alternative materials category for its cellulose fibre screw cap, which provides a sustainable alternative to plastic and metal closures. With traditional caps often being fossil based, difficult to recycle, and contributors to microplastic pollution, this new solution offers a low carbon footprint, is biodegradable within 10 weeks, and is recyclable as paper. Sales manager Glenda Benedetti said, ‘With the fibre based screw cap for consumer packaging, Blue Ocean Closures is bringing to market an entirely new category of packaging closures. Enabling a seamless switch from fossil plastics, this bio based, biodegradable and recyclable innovation will increase sustainability in the industry and reduce harmful climate effects.’
PulpaTronics secured the connected packaging award for its breakthrough in RFID technology. Over 40 billion RFID tags are discarded in landfills each year, embedded in product packaging that is often single use. These tags traditionally contain metal antennas and silicon microchips, meaning they squander natural resources, generate CO2 emissions, and create waste. PulpaTronics has developed a chipless, metal free RFID tag that uses laser technology to create conductive circuits on paper substrates, making them fully recyclable and compatible with circular packaging systems.
GreenEvo took home the online category award for its innovative approach to reducing wooden pallet production's environmental and economic impact. Traditional wooden pallets contribute to deforestation, require high energy consumption, and generate waste. The company has introduced an alternative made from renewable agricultural biomass, eliminating the need for tree cutting. Its lightweight, stackable design saves up to 60% of space in warehouses and during transportation, reducing carbon emissions. Unlike traditional pallets, GreenEvo's solution requires no nails or screws, minimising the risk of injury to handlers and damage to goods.
In the refill and reuse category, Cauli was recognised for its AI powered reusable packaging system. As a UK based climate tech start up, Cauli is reshaping the future of packaging by helping businesses transition away from single use packaging. Focusing initially on the food service industry, its system enables the seamless adoption of reusable packaging, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving operational efficiency. ‘We are so pleased to be recognised for our passion and drive to make a circular economy both environmentally and commercially sustainable,’ said Mingqiao Zhao, co-founder. ‘Through cutting edge technology, we have achieved over 98% return rate for reusable packaging and helped catering customers around the UK to reduce single use food and drink packaging waste and cost significantly.’
AeroFlexx won the waste reduction category for its approach to reducing plastic waste in liquid packaging. With less than 10% of plastic ever produced being recycled, most accumulate in landfills or the environment. AeroFlexx's packaging solution replaces traditional plastic bottles with a lightweight, flexible format that functions like a rigid bottle while using up to 85% less virgin plastic. By addressing one of the most urgent challenges in packaging today, the company is helping brands balance the needs of modern packaging with sustainability goals. Mauro Tocco, director of sales EMEA, said: ‘On behalf of AeroFlexx, it is an honour to receive this award. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and partners in revolutionising the liquid packaging industry. We remain committed to driving progress towards a more sustainable future.’
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