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 a circular economy by using technology and data to maximize the value of reusables.
Funding to fuel international expansion
Now, the German startup has raised €14.2 million in growth funding to accelerate its international expansion. The investment was led by Inven Capital, a growth capital fund specialising in scaling climate tech companies globally, alongside NRW.Venture, the venture capital arm of NRW.BANK. Both firms join Vytal’s robust investor base, which includes Emerald Technology Ventures, Grazia Equity, Kiko, Rubio Impact Ventures, and Chi Impact Capital.
This new funding will enable Vytal to enhance its technology-driven solutions, making reusable packaging even more seamless and cost-efficient for businesses and consumers. Additionally, the investment will unlock new economic benefits through brand partnerships and consumer engagement. A major portion of the capital will be directed toward Vytal’s US expansion while reinforcing its leadership position in Europe.
Growth in revenue
Over the past year, Vytal has more than doubled its revenue and expanded its international footprint, adding franchise partners in Albania, Greece, the UAE, and South Africa. The company has also launched a dedicated business unit to serve global consumer brands, as well as the event and entertainment industry.
High-profile clients such as Pepsi, UEFA Euro 2024 Fanzones, Hyrox, and Live Nation’s Insomniac Festival Group have adopted Vytal’s reusable packaging solutions. This strategic expansion beyond hospitality and gastronomy into major brands and large-scale events highlights the increasing demand for sustainable packaging alternatives worldwide.
Brings circular economy in reusable packaging
Founded in 2020 in Cologne by Fabian Barthel, Sven Witthöft, and Tim Breker, The company is revolutionising the packaging industry by eliminating single-use packaging through advanced reusable solutions. By leveraging cutting-edge software and data analytics, Vytal provides cost-effective, sustainable packaging options that benefit businesses and the environment.
It 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. It provides these 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.
Internationally recognised by the Harvard Business Review for its pioneering data model, Vytal is at the forefront of the global transition to a circular economy. With a network of over 7,000 partners across 24 countries, the company is driving change in reducing disposable packaging waste.
Building on past success
The latest funding round builds on Vytal’s continued success in securing investment to scale its operations. In 2024, the company raised €6.2 million to support its growth and technological advancements. The additional €14.2 million infusion further solidifies its position as a leader in reusable packaging solutions, ensuring long-term sustainability and business expansion.
United under a shared vision, Vytal and its international subsidiaries are transforming packaging systems worldwide, offering innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to create a more sustainable future.
“We have been following the Vytal team and progress since the early days and are convinced that they are best positioned to reap the business opportunity of transforming the packaging industry towards circularity,” said Kristyna Machova, Investment Director at Inven. “Today’s packaging solutions, especially single-use plastic packaging, are unnecessarily energy- and resource-intensive compared to smart reusable packaging solutions. We value Vytal’s innovative use of data and technology as a key differentiator, fostering a circular economy where reusable packaging is cost-competitive as well as superior in user experience.”
“This new funding comes less than nine months after our last raise and reflects an incredibly successful 2024 for the Vytal team,” said Dr. Tim Breker, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Vytal. “With Inven Capital’s expertise in supporting international growth strategies, we are well-positioned to scale our impact further and make tech-enabled reusable packaging the new standard in gastronomy, events, and entertainment globally.”
