Five emerging businesses were celebrated for their innovative contributions to sustainable solutions at the 2025 Packaging Startup Awards.
The awards, organized by ThePackHub and sponsored by Ocado Retail, were presented at the recent Packaging Innovations & Empack event.
Blue Ocean Closures, PulpaTronics, GreenEvo, Cauli, and AeroFlexx were recognized across five categories. PulpaTronics also earned the prestigious Packaging Startup of the Year Award. Their innovations address a range of sustainability challenges, including reducing plastic waste, improving recyclability, enabling reuse systems, and minimizing carbon footprints.
“Startups drive true innovation and challenge the status quo,” stated 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. Startups truly are the pioneers. They’re 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’s crucial to have startups emerging within the business, generating exciting new ideas for us to explore and capitalise on.”
Blue Ocean Closures secured the Alternative Materials category for its cellulose fiber screw cap. This innovative cap provides a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic and metal closures. The solution is biodegradable within 10 weeks and recyclable as paper.
PulpaTronics won the Connected Packaging Award for its breakthrough in RFID technology. The company has developed a chipless, metal-free RFID tag. They use laser technology to create conductive circuits on paper substrates. This innovation makes the tags fully recyclable and compatible with circular packaging systems. PulpaTronics’ innovation also earned it the Packaging Startup of the Year Award. The judges recognized its potential to transform inventory management while simultaneously eliminating unnecessary electronic waste.
GreenEvo took home the Online category award for its approach to reducing the environmental and economic impact of wooden pallet production. The company’s alternative is made from renewable agricultural biomass, eliminating the need for tree cutting. Its lightweight, stackable design is said to save up to 60% of space in warehouses and during transportation. Unlike traditional pallets, GreenEvo’s solution requires no nails or screws. This design minimizes the risk of injury to handlers and damage to goods.
In the Refill & Reuse category, Cauli was recognized for its AI-powered reusable packaging system. Cauli is a UK-based climate tech startup. They are described as reshaping the future of packaging by helping businesses transition away from single-use packaging. Focusing initially on the food service industry, Cauli’s system enables the adoption of reusable packaging. This reduces waste and environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
AeroFlexx won the Waste Reduction category for its approach to reducing plastic waste in liquid packaging. The company’s solution replaces traditional plastic bottles with a lightweight, flexible format. This flexible format functions like a rigid bottle while using up to 85% less virgin plastic.
