Lactips, SmartSolve scale plastic-free packaging substrate to commercial production

FRANCE – Lactips and SmartSolve have entered a worldwide partnership on plastic-free packaging, advancing the PureNil 0 substrate from development to commercial-scale production in less than two years.

PureNil 0 is cleared for direct contact with food and disperses quickly in water without leaving microplastic residue. 

Customers in beauty, personal care, and food and beverage sectors are already using the material, which SmartSolve describes as the world’s first 100 percent plastic-free, dispersible, printable, flexible packaging substrate. 

The combination of printability and water dispersibility distinguishes the format from conventional water-soluble films that rely on petroleum-derived polymers, opening applications where both functionality and end-of-life performance matter.

Exclusive Agreement Extends Beyond First Generation

The collaboration began in 2024 and now covers later generations of bio-based, plastic-free packaging beyond PureNil 0. 

SmartSolve, co-founded in 2016 by Al Caperna and Jonathan Jakubowski, manufactures certified bio-based, water-soluble packaging including water-soluble paper, labels and pouches. 

Lactips develops and sells plastic-free, fully bio-based plastic that is water-soluble and biodegradable in all environments. 

The exclusive nature of the agreement gives SmartSolve preferred access to Lactips’ polymer technology across its product lines, while Lactips gains a commercialisation partner with established manufacturing and distribution reach in North America.

Leadership Frames Material as Industry Missing Piece

Jonathan Jakubowski, chief executive and co-founder of SmartSolve, said Lactips had given the industry the one thing it had been missing: a truly plastic-free, water-soluble material that performed at commercial scale. 

Alexis von Tschammer, chief executive of Lactips, said signing the exclusive agreement marked a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion. 

He added that Lactips was delighted to partner with SmartSolve and thanked their team for their trust and for the energy they were bringing to accelerate adoption of zero-waste natural packaging solutions, noting the opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on industry practices and the environment.

Water-Soluble Formats Address Persistent Recycling Gaps

Water-soluble packaging addresses applications where conventional recycling infrastructure fails, including single-dose sachets, detergent pouches and food service formats that frequently escape collection systems. 

Materials that disperse without microplastic residue reduce contamination risks in composting and wastewater streams, though performance requirements vary by application.

The partnership reflects growing investment in bio-based alternatives as brands respond to regulatory pressure on single-use plastics and consumer demand for packaging that avoids persistent pollution.

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