Food waste and plastic pollution are two critical problems our world faces today. And they are more connected than they seem. Globally, 931 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, with 30-40% due to spoilage or expiry. At the same time, 36% of all plastics are used in food packaging, with 85% ending up in landfills. Plastic packaging, intended to preserve food, often falls short, contributing to food waste and environmental pollution.
What if one could address both of them with a single solution? That’s precisely what Peelon wants to achieve. This Florida-based FoodTech company has created a biodegradable packaging material that extends the shelf life of fresh produce, thereby reducing spoilage. To understand this material and its technology better, we interviewed Dr. Taraka Ramji Moturu, the CEO of Peelon.
This interview is part of GreyB’s Scouted series. In this series, we spotlight innovative startups and talk to their founders about how their solutions can revolutionize the industry by solving problems. Readers get insider knowledge on the principal technologies and working principles behind pioneering startups like Bonumose, Better Juice, Axial3D, Skin Gourmet, etc., shared by the CEOs themselves! Explore all those interviews here in text and video format.
Author’s Note: Biodegradable packaging can come from surprising sources, such as seaweed! Discover how B’zeos creates fully biodegradable seaweed-based packaging.
Through our biodegradable packaging, we’re addressing the issue of food waste and the prevalent plastic problem in the fresh produce packaging industry.
– Dr. Taraka Ramji Moturu
Dr. Taraka Ramji Moturu is the CEO of Peelon. Before founding Peelon, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Université libre de Bruxelles and co-founded MicGene Lab. He also served as the Vice Curator of Global Shapers Prague Hub. Dr. Taraka held various research positions at institutions like CEITEC – Central European Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology.
Overview: Revolutionizing Sustainable Packaging for Fresh Produce
Peelon is an innovative company addressing two critical global issues: food waste and plastic pollution. They have developed a 100% biodegradable packaging solution that extends the shelf life of fresh produce up to three times longer than conventional methods. Peelon’s technology integrates plant-based additives into home compostable polymers, creating a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging for the food industry.
Watch the whole conversation here.
Here are the highlights from the interview.
What exactly is Peelon’s technology, and how does it work?
Our technology is a biodegradable packaging solution that incorporates plant-based additives. These additives are slowly released when the produce is packed, acting on the stomata and outer layer of the fresh produce. In simple terms, we’re controlling the aging process by reducing moisture release and ethylene production, which causes rapid ripening. We also incorporate antimicrobial properties to prevent fungal and bacterial growth.
The beauty of our solution is that it eliminates the need for additional packaging elements like moisture absorbers or antifungal sprays. It’s a comprehensive solution that addresses multiple issues in fresh produce packaging.
How does Peelon compare to other sustainable packaging alternatives?
While other sustainable options like PLA (polylactic acid) are available, Peelon stands out in crucial ways. Firstly, our base polymer is home compostable, meaning it can decompose in regular landfills within 2-3 months. This is in contrast to PLA, which requires industrial composting facilities.
Moreover, our technology is not just about the polymer – it’s about the active ingredients that extend shelf life. This added benefit makes our solution more attractive to producers and distributors, as it replaces plastic and reduces food waste and associated costs.
What markets is Peelon currently targeting?
We’re primarily focusing on North and South America. These regions have significant export activity, mainly from South America to the US and Europe. Additionally, these markets have stricter regulations on plastic use, creating a demand for sustainable alternatives. We’re targeting areas with a strong governmental push towards sustainable packaging, as it makes market entry easier when people actively seek solutions.
What challenges has Peelon faced in its journey?
One of our biggest challenges has been convincing potential customers of the value proposition. Many companies compare our product directly to plastic packaging on a cost basis without considering the additional benefits we provide. We’ve had to educate customers on how our solution replaces plastic, reduces spoilage, saves water, and cuts transportation costs.
Another ongoing challenge is reducing manufacturing costs. While we can’t control the cost of our raw materials, we’re optimizing the manufacturing process and reducing transportation expenses as we scale up. It’s a constant balance between providing an innovative solution and making it affordable for widespread adoption.
What’s Peelon’s stance on patents and intellectual property protection?
We recognize the importance of protecting our innovations. We have filed non-provisional patents in the US and through the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) for international coverage. Currently, we have two patents filed and two more in process. While we don’t reveal our core ingredients or trade secrets, we’ve patented some unique processes we’ve developed specifically for Peelon.
IP protection is crucial in a competitive market like packaging. It safeguards our novel processes while allowing us to continue innovating and improving our products.
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Meet our Interviewer – Shabaz Khan, Marketing Manager at GreyB
Shabaz Khan, a seasoned marketing manager at GreyB, leads the Scouted By GreyB campaign. With a decade of experience, he specializes in delivering critical insights to Innovation leaders, R&D, and IP teams about evolving tech landscapes, innovation trends, and emerging breakthrough startups. Shabaz excels at aligning research data with business needs and developing strategies to solve innovation challenges. His leadership and problem-solving skills make him a valuable asset in R&D and IP research.
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Authored By: Hemanth Shenoy, Market Research
