Matchmaker

Replacing plastic with high-performance, cost-effective paper materials

Objective
To develop paper-based solutions that match the versatility and performance of plastic, without compromising cost, scalability, or recyclability. Relevant proposals may include fiber-based material innovations, barrier coatings, alternative fibers, home-compostable adhesives, and other technologies that enhance the functional properties of paper.

 

Automating manufacturing processes across Mondi’s operations

Objective
To identify automation solutions that reduce manual labor and improve efficiency across production lines. Proposals may include robotics, AI-driven process monitoring, automated quality control, smart palletizing, fleet tracking, and full traceability systems that can be integrated into existing operations.

• Align with the challenge: Offer solutions that directly address one of the proposed challenges.
• Have a functional product: Present a working solution with at least a developed and testable Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• Bring innovation: Leverage new or emerging technologies to solve current challenges and improve efficiency, with applicability in the EU and US.
• Are driven by multidisciplinary teams: Consist of fully dedicated teams with strong expertise in both technology and sustainability.

Working with Mondi gives us the opportunity to scale our traceless® paper coating applications in a way we simply couldn’t do alone. With their technical expertise, industrial capabilities, and global reach, we’re able to bring our regenerative material into real-world applications—faster, and at a much larger scale. That’s what makes this partnership so valuable: it amplifies the impact we can have.  

What we value most is Mondi’s collaborative spirit and their shared commitment to sustainability. From the start, they approached this partnership with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to innovate. It’s not just about testing a new material—it’s about co-creating a solution that can help move the entire industry toward plastic-free, regenerative alternatives.  

Through this partnership, we gain critical insights into industrial-scale implementation: how our material performs in real production environments, how it integrates with existing processes, and how it meets both functional and regulatory requirements. These learnings are essential for scaling traceless® successfully—and for shaping the future of sustainable packaging.
But most importantly, we gain the chance to create a real impact!

Definitely! For us, this is the beginning of a long-term partnership with the potential to create real, lasting change. Together with Mondi, we aim to build the foundation for a future where plastic-free & natural coatings are not the exception, but a new standard. We’re excited for what’s ahead—and the impact we can create together.   

Collaborating with Mondi has been an incredibly valuable experience for us. As a start-up, gaining access to the expertise, resources, and network of a well-established company has significantly accelerated our business.
The structured approach, industry insights, and professional support provided by your team have helped us to scale our business.

What stood out the most was the open and solution-oriented mindset of your team. From the beginning, we felt that our ideas and innovations were not only welcomed but also actively supported. The collaboration allowed us to effectively combine the advantages of both a large corporation and a smaller, agile company. The innovation, flexibility, and speed of a start-up, paired with the strength of a multinational corporation and a well-known brand that customers trust, created unique opportunities. This credibility also changed how customers perceived us, enabling us to secure contracts and gain access to opportunities that would have otherwise been more difficult to achieve.

Through our collaboration, we gained critical industry knowledge, access to a broader market, and valuable connections that continue to benefit our business. Additionally, working with Mondi enhanced our credibility, which has been instrumental in establishing trust with new partners and customers. The experience also provided us with practical insights into working with large corporations, which is crucial for our long-term success.  

Absolutely! Given the opportunity, we would gladly collaborate with Mondi again. The partnership has been highly rewarding and has opened doors that would have been difficult to access otherwise.

I would highly recommend other start-ups and innovators to explore working with Mondi if they get the opportunity.