This article is also available in Italian / Questo articolo è disponibile anche in italiano
Founded in 2022, Kuori is a Swiss cleantech company that uses food byproducts such as olive pits and nut shells to manufacture high-quality sustainable biobased granules. These granules are used as bio-fillers in thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thus replace rubbers and conventional, non-biodegradable elastomers with bioplastics.
The company, which is based at the Biotechnopark Schlieren in Zurich, has created a patent-pending material whose Product Carbon Footprint is 41% lower than that of conventional plastics and which decomposes in industrial composting systems, as per the EN 13432 standards.
Thanks to its B2B business model, the granules manufactured from reused waste are sold to companies that can integrate them into their existing external production processes in various sectors, including fashion, outdoor equipment, and utensils.
"We started with footwear company Wilding and since then we have worked on various pilot projects in sectors like fashion and outdoors," says Kuori Founder and CEO Sarah Habarth."Our main applications include handles, shoe soles, skateboard and stroller wheels, and watch straps."
The startup, which won the Renewable Material of the Year Award 2023, has calculated that every tonne of Kuori material prevents approximately 500 kg of plastic waste from being sent to landfill. The Swiss company has raised over 2.3 million euros in funding, receiving the support of the Migros Pioneer Fund to expand production and develop partnerships in new sectors, including the automotive industry.
Website:
Name:
Kuori
Sector:
Food waste
Pros:
B2B model for the development of products in various sectors, particularly fashion and outdoors
Features:
Biobased, biodegradable, and elastic granules derived from food byproducts
Cover: Envato image