The world’s landfills are overflowing with food waste and packaging materials. The impact on the environment is significant, and it’s essential to find innovative solutions to tackle this issue. Alterpacks, a Singapore-based startup, is addressing both problems by developing technology that converts food waste into takeout boxes and other containers.
$1 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Alterpacks has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding led by Plug and Play APAC and Seed Capital. The investment was co-led by these two organizations, with participation from Earth Venture Capital and angel investor Alice Foo. The new funding will be used to commercialize Alterpacks’ technology, including production and supply in markets such as Asia, Australia, and Europe.
Founding Story
Alterpacks was founded in 2019 by Karen Cheah, who had a personal epiphany while traveling and observing communities struggling with excessive plastic containers and food waste. She became determined to develop alternatives to disposable containers and turned her attention to spent grains, a by-product of manufacturing foods like beer.
Spent Grains: A Viable Alternative
Cheah explained that spent grains were the ideal raw material for Alterpacks’ technology due to their availability and properties. By upcycling the grains, the company creates new economic value and puts what would have been a by-product back into the supply chain as food containers that can replace plastic disposables.
Manufacturing Process
The process of converting spent grains into Alterpacks’ food containers is similar to paper pulp manufacturing. The startup uses automated machines to clean raw materials, mix its formulation, and then press it into different shapes of containers. This technology enables mass production while maintaining the quality of the final product.
Commercialization and Go-To-Market Strategy
Alterpacks has been commercially available since December 2022. The company’s go-to-market strategy is based on a B2B model, where they work with distribution partners to supply containers to F&B businesses such as restaurants and hotels.
Sustainability Efforts
In addition to developing sustainable packaging solutions, Alterpacks is also working on replacing petroleum-based resins used in manufacturing machines with bio-pellets made from spent grains and other agricultural waste like coconut shells. This move further reduces the company’s environmental footprint and promotes a more circular economy.
Plug and Play APAC’s Investment
Managing Partner Jupe Tan of Plug and Play APAC commented on their investment, stating that they were impressed by Alterpacks’ significant interest from members of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste Innovation Program. This interest led them to further investigate the startup and ultimately invest in its sustainability-focused mission.
Conclusion
Food waste and packaging are pressing concerns for the world’s environment. Alterpacks is pioneering a solution by converting food waste into sustainable containers. With $1 million in pre-seed funding, the company will continue to commercialize its technology and expand its reach in markets worldwide. As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact of their choices on the planet, innovative companies like Alterpacks are leading the way towards a more sustainable future.
Topics Covered:
- AlterPacks
- Asia
- Climate
- Food Waste
- Singapore
- Southeast Asia
- Startups
- Sustainability
