The Fedrigoni Group, a global reference in the manufacturing of specialty papers for packaging and other creative applications, self-adhesive labels, graphic media for visual communication, and RFID, has announced the acquisition of a minority stake in Papkot, a startup that developed the first large-scale paper coating technology with the same properties as plastic by replacing silicon and cellulose into a nanostructured material that eliminates plastic from single-use packaging. 

Fedrigoni’s deal is part of the corporate venture capital program the company has launched to identify industry-changing startups that are a proven, industrially scalable reality. Together, Fedrigoni and Papkot will accelerate the deployment of Papkot’s technology worldwide, ensuring major FMCG and F&B brands have access to high-performance, fully recyclable, fully biodegradable packaging solutions at scale.

Founded in 2020 by Manuel Milliery, who is also the CEO, Papkot has rapidly become a category-defining player in high-performance, plastic-free coatings. With research and development hubs in France and China and contract manufacturing partnerships in France, the US, and China, Papkot is already serving leading global food and consumer goods brands. Papkot’s advanced barrier technology achieves high resistance to water, grease, oil, or even glycerol, and also provides properties such as transparency or other tailored surface properties, which are critical for packaging applications. All products are fully recyclable and free from harmful substances like PFAS.

Papkot coatings have been extensively validated across a wide range of paper substrates, including virgin and recycled fibers. Ongoing industrial trials are further expanding compatibility to meet the diverse needs of converters and brand owners. The applications that can be realized with this proprietary technology are diverse, from disposable packaging and wrapping for food purposes, fire retardant or transparent paper to disposable cups. Papkot uses a model based on artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop tailored solutions for customers, measure materials performance, and make faster, data-driven innovations.

“This investment has enormous potential for Fedrigoni,” says Marco Nespolo, CEO, the Fedrigoni Group. “We will have the opportunity to acquire disruptive technology in Plastic-to-Fiber that will allow us to increasingly support our customers in their efforts to develop mono-material and fully recyclable packaging. Furthermore, Fedrigoni will play a key role in accelerating the industrialization phase, which is essential for the scalability of the Papkot business model”.

“This advanced technology is synergistic with both Fedrigoni’s specialty papers and self-adhesive materials businesses (in addition to barrier-coating, this solution makes it possible to replace the label liner, normally made of silicon, with a totally recyclable material),” comments Fulvio Capussotti, executive VP, Fedrigoni Special Papers, RFID and Innovation, and chief sustainability officer at Fedrigoni Group. “It also represents an accelerator in the Group’s innovation processes and is consistent with our ESG strategy to 2030, which aims to have 100% of materials designed for optimal recyclability and end-of-life recovery”.

“From 2020, we have a mission to eliminate plastic from packaging and from our daily lives. I welcome our new strategic investor and partner,” adds Milliery. ”With Fedrigoni, we are committed to sustainability, high standards, attention to detail, and continuous improvement. The injection of new capital and the Group’s global network will allow us to boost our international growth path and investment in research and development.”