MADERIGHT, AN ISRAELI STARTUP FOUNDED IN 2022 BY YOTAM DAVID AND ROTEM CAHANOVITC, IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE PLASTIC PACKAGING INDUSTRY USING AN UNEXPECTED SOLUTION: MUSHROOMS. BY GROWING MUSHROOMS ON INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC WASTE, THE COMPANY PRODUCES SUSTAINABLE BIOMATERALS TO REPLACE CHEMICAL ADDITIVES COMMONLY USED IN PLASTIC. THIS INNOVATIVE APPROACH NOT ONLY OFFERS AN ECOLOGICAL SOLUTION BUT PROMISES TO TRANSFORM THE WAY WE DESIGN AND PRODUCE PACKAGING
The plastic crisis and the importance of sustainability
Over the last twenty years, the amount of plastic waste has doubled, with approx 400 million tons of plastic packaging created every year. This represents the 40% of all plastic produced globally, most of which is discarded within minutes of use. The growing production of plastic waste and the limited capacity to recycle it pose an ever-increasing threat to the environment.
MadeRight offers an innovative solution
MadeRight face this challenge growing mushrooms on industrial organic wastetransforming materials “useless” into precious resources. The material produced by MadeRight can be easily integrated into existing supply chains and packaging machinery, allowing manufacturers to adopt this solution without making substantial changes to their production processes.
Benefits of MadeRight biomaterials
Environmental sustainability: Mushroom cultivation helps reduce industrial organic waste and provides a sustainable source of biomaterials for packaging.
Reduction of chemical additives: MadeRight replaces chemical additives often used to extend the shelf life of foods. This not only makes packaging more environmentally friendly but also eliminates substances harmful to health.
Versatility and integration: MadeRight’s biomaterials can be easily integrated into existing production processes, offering a practical solution for the food and cosmetics industries.
Future perspectives
The global food packaging market is worth $363 billion and is expected to grow to $512 billion by 2028. MadeRight aims to commercialize its solution in Europe by the end of 2024, focusing on the food and cosmetics sectors.
MadeRight resilience during adversity
Despite challenges, such as evacuation caused by terrorist attacks, MadeRight demonstrated resilience and quickly resumed operations in a new laboratory. The startup has already raised 2 million dollars and won prestigious awards, highlighting the recognition of the value of its innovation.
Plastic not all bad
Contrary to common perception, Rotem CahanovitchCEO of MadeRight, underlines that lPlastic is not completely harmful. By analyzing its life cycle and energy consumption, plastic can be more environmentally friendly than other materials such as glass and paper.
Conclusions
MadeRight is revolutionizing the packaging industry, offering a sustainable and innovative solution that could change the landscape of the industry. The cultivation of mushrooms on industrial waste represents a significant step towards a future where packaging not only protects products but also the environment. The Israeli startup’s determination and its vision of a sustainable future promise to make a difference in the fight against the plastic waste crisis.