Cologne-based Vytal, which provides software-enabled reusable packaging solutions, has raised €6.2 million in a growth financing round led by Emerald Technology (which invested in enspired and xFarm Technologies), through its Sustainable Packaging Innovation Fund, with participation from Ventis. Existing investors Kiko Ventures, Grazia Equity, and Rubio also contributed to this round.
The new funding enables Vytal to accelerate its efforts in transforming the packaging industry, by expanding into new marketers and further developing its software and data-driven offerings.
What challenge does it address?
Over 60 billion single-use food and drink containers are wasted annually in the EU and regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) are pushing the industry towards a Circular Economy.
This is where Vytal’s technology platform comes into the picture. The company works with the mission to foster the circular economy by using technology and data to maximize the value of reusables.
What does Vytal do?
Vytal provides the right reusable container for all food and beverages. These include reusable bowls, cups, sushi containers, burger boxes, pizza containers, etc. Vytal-powered reusable packaging saves valuable resources while decreasing costs and creating value for all stakeholders along the circular value chain of reusables, including raw material suppliers, consumers, and professional cleaning hubs.
The German startup replaces single-use packaging with innovative reusable solutions for businesses, including corporate and university campuses, business districts, airports, city centres, shopping malls, trade fairs, festivals, events, and entertainment venues.
Its smart reusables are highly efficient, saving considerable time during checkout and returns, cutting down on staff needs for organisers and waiting times for consumers. Professional washing centres equally benefit from Vytal’s RFID-equipped reusable containers, enabling automated instead of manual container counting.
Dr. Tim Breker, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Vytal, said: “We’re thrilled to take on board Emerald, a very experienced investor with a phenomenal network of corporate partners. Transforming the packaging industry towards circularity is a massive business opportunity and Vytal’s technology platform is positioned to win. We have established ourselves as thought leaders in the field and are looking forward to accelerating our collaboration with various industry partners. We understand the conditions under which reuse outperforms single-use and focus on leveraging software and data to maximise the economic benefits of reusables for all our customers and across use cases.”
Fredric Petit, Partner at Emerald Technology Ventures, added: “The Vytal management team has combined great visionary and strategic thinking with strong execution power. Vytal’s solution perfectly aligns with our conviction regarding reusable packaging. In a recent Emerald Packaging Sprint with our corporate partners, we concluded that software and data are the key value drivers of reuse, so we’re very excited to join the Vytal team on their mission to scale the adoption of reuse by leveraging technology to unlock its economic and ecological benefits.”
What do we think about Vytal?
The company’s software-enabled reusable packaging solutions are revolutionising the packaging industry. Addressing the massive waste of single-use containers, its technology fosters a circular economy by maximising the value of reusables. The recent €6.2 million funding will enhance their expansion and development efforts, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable packaging with significant economic and ecological benefits.
