GERMANY – Vytal Global, a German provider of software-enabled reusable packaging solutions, has raised €6 million (US$6.5 million) in its latest financing round.
The round was led by Emerald Technology Ventures through its Sustainable Packaging Innovation Fund, with participation from Ventis.
Vytal will use the investment to expand into new markets and further develop its software and data-driven offerings for all stakeholders along the circular value chain of reusable packaging.
Dr. Tim Breker, co-founder and managing director at Vytal, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We’re thrilled to take on board Emerald, a very experienced investor with a phenomenal network of corporate partners.
“Transforming the packaging industry toward 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 look 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 maximize the economic benefits of reusables for all our customers and across use cases.”
Vytal’s individually traceable cups and food containers improve efficiency in handling reusables. They save time during checkout and enable unmanned return processes, reducing the need for staff and minimizing consumers’ waiting times.
Professional washing centers benefit from Vytal’s RFID-equipped reusable containers, which allow automated container counting.
Innova Market Insights has identified “Digitalized Circularity” as this year’s main packaging trend. Industry players are embracing digitalization to enhance environmental impacts, automate supply chains, and avoid greenwashing litigation.
Dr. Josephine Kreische, managing director at Vytal Events & Entertainment Solutions, highlighted the importance of these trends: “Unmanned checkout and return handling, as well as transparent data collection and automated processes along the circular value chain, are key to eliminating single-use packaging from the life of our B2B customers and end consumers.
“We foresee a future in which reuse is the default food and drink packaging on campuses, inside the Quick Service Restaurant industry, and across the event & entertainment industry.”
Vytal is accelerating efforts to transform the packaging industry. Annually, 66 billion single-use food and drink containers are wasted in the EU, and regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation push the industry toward circularity.
Vytal’s technology platform offers innovative reusable solutions that create value for all stakeholders along the circular value chain, including raw material suppliers, consumers, and professional cleaning hubs.
The advantages of reusable over single-use packaging are particularly prominent within dense networks and closed loops.
Corporate and university campuses, business districts, airports, city centers, shopping malls, trade fairs, festivals, and other event and entertainment venues can easily switch to Vytal-powered reusable packaging, saving resources and reducing costs.
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