Amcor has entered into joint research agreement with Canadian innovator Nfinite Nanotechnology, which aims to leverage nanotechnology for barriers, enabling recyclable and compostable packaging.
In the proof-of-concept phase of the project, Nfinite’s coating technology will be applied to Amcor’s existing recyclable and compostable packaging material, with the objective to deliver an oxygen barrier to improve performance for recyclable and compostable packaging.
Once validated, the next stage of development will seek to ensure the products are optimised to Amcor’s manufacturing processes, and to analyse additional substrates, such as bio-based materials to create more sustainable applications.
This project is the latest step in the partnership between Amcor and Nfinite, which began last year when Nfinite was selected as an Amcor Lift-Off winner, receiving $250,000 in seed funding. Amcor Lift-Off start-ups have the opportunity to work with Amcor’s research and development team, to create new applications that can advance both companies’ efforts toward driving circularity.
Frank Lehmann, vice president of corporate venturing and open innovation at Amcor said, “This joint research project agreement is an important step, and showcases Amcor’s solution-based commitment to sustainability and innovation. Collaborating with innovative start-ups like Nfinite, particularly in the early stage of this exciting new technology, is one more way we are working to advance our shared sustainability goals.”
Chee Hau Teoh, co-founder and CEO at Nfinite Nanotechnology, said, “We’re pleased to have Amcor’s support in advancing our ambitions to deliver this nanocoating technology in packaging applications. Once scaled up, we can begin looking for pilot companies eager to leverage this technology.”
Nfinite Nanotechnology is a venture-backed advanced material company based in Canada. It says it aims to build a more sustainable world, through the advancement of compostable and recyclable packaging. Nfinite’s breakthrough nanocoating technology is based on 10 years’ science and experience in the development of advanced functional thin films. Nfinite is currently commercialising its rapid, open-air nanocoating platform, which it says produces large-area, high-quality, ultrathin-films at low cost.
The company says its mission is to provide the packaging industry with a sustainable path forward, by delivering high-performance barriers layers for sustainable packaging, accelerating the world’s goal to eliminate plastic packaging pollution.
