Amcor Flexibles is calling for start-ups to take part in its latest Lift-Off program, which is seeking new technologies for recyclable and home compostable flexible packaging.
The company is focusing this round of the Lift-Off program on three areas: home compostable adhesives; high performance compostable oxygen transmission rate (OTR) barriers; and home compostable barrier additives for film formulation.
In what Amcor describes as a three-phase process, applications are open until 12 December 2025, screening will run until 19 December, and pitching will take place online on 13 January 2026. Incorporated companies globally can apply without charge if their technology readiness level is above 5.
Amcor Flexibles supplies flexible packaging for food, beverage, healthcare, and home and personal care markets. The company is developing fibre-based structures with at least 80 per cent paper content, combined with coatings, extrudates or films to deliver required functionality. It is also running R&D projects exploring compostable substrates such as PBAT, PBS, PCL and PHA.
Amcor says many compostable materials still fall short of the barrier and shelf-life requirements needed for its products, and may conflict with recycling or at-home compostability expectations. The Lift-Off call is seeking partners that can address these gaps.
Home compostable adhesives
Amcor is looking for adhesives suitable for flexible packaging, including lamination, cold-seal and pressure-sensitive formats. Required features include home compostability certification or supporting evidence, maximum application of less than 5gsm dry, minimum bond strength of 1.5N/15mm, and compatibility with paper or compostable substrates such as PLA, PBAT or PBS. Adhesives must not compromise repulping, and should maintain performance in tropical conditions. FDA food-contact approval potential and TRL 5+ are also required. Materials containing BPA, PFAS, TMPP or other restricted substances are excluded.
High performance compostable OTR barriers
For paper-based substrates, Amcor is seeking dispersion-coated solutions delivering OTR below 0.5cc/m²/day (23°C, 50 per cent rH), with a maximum dry thickness of 10gsm. Materials must resist flex cracking, exclude water-sensitive chemistries such as PVOH, demonstrate viscosity suitable for rotogravure, and be capable of securing food-contact approvals. Solutions must also be compatible with recycling or home composting and free from substances on negative lists.
Home compostable barrier additives for film formulation
Additives should improve oxygen, moisture or grease barrier performance by at least a factor of ten compared with the reference material. They must demonstrate or show potential for compliance with home composting standards, support food-contact approval pathways, and be at TRL 5+. Materials containing BPA, PFAS, TMPP or other restricted substances are out of scope.
Amcor says the Lift-Off program targets early-stage and growth start-ups. Companies selected during the pitching phase may have the opportunity to work with Amcor’s R&D teams, with potential equity investment of up to US$500,000 considered separately where there is a strategic fit.
