• EIB and PackBenefit have signed a €13m venture debt agreement to finance a new production plant, as well as research and development projects for sustainable food packaging solutions.
• The financing, in combination with equity funding from Circularity Capital, will enable PackBenefit to expand its manufacturing capacity of recyclable and compostable food trays for the European market.
• The EIB loan is guaranteed by the European Commission’s research and innovation programme.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will support PackBenefit with a €13 million venture debt loan to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity of recyclable and compostable food trays to meet growing global demand for high-performance sustainable packaging solutions.

Alongside supporting RDI activities, the EIB financing will be used to back the construction of PackBenefit’s second commercial-scale food tray production plant in Aldeamayor de San Martin, Valladolid, Spain, which will allow the company to manufacture an additional 180 million trays per year (ca. 4,500 metric tons). PackBenefit has developed and patented an innovative technology to convert virgin pulp, from EU Forest Stewardship Council certified sources, into recyclable and compostable food trays via a unique hydraulic thermoforming press.

Ricardo Mourinho Félix, European Investment Bank Vice-President said: “As food consumption continues to increase, the need for sustainable packaging is becoming more pressing than ever before. The EIB loan will help PackBenefit to scale-up its existing production facilities in Spain, providing recyclable and compostable food trays for customers across Europe. Financing companies such as PackBenefit contributes to a circular economy, ensuring that the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible, via recycling for further use.”

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, added: “In 2020, every EU resident was responsible for generating approximately 177kg of packaging waste, a figure which clearly needs to be reduced. I am particularly glad that research is, once again, successfully bringing society the solutions it needs. This project is a prime example of how the targets proposed by the Commission on the revised legislation on packaging and packaging waste are achievable. And R&I funding is here to help.”

See related article: EIB Group Signs €250 Million in New Financial Support for Cyprus Climate Action

Philippe Fèvre, Chief Executive Officer of PackBenefit, concluded: “PackBenefit’s roadmap is aligned with EU principles in relation to environmental protection, while simultaneously delivering better food safety standards for consumers and reducing resource waste. In combination with equity funding received from Circularity Capital, EIB’s financial support will allow us to more efficiently address the European market’s demand for innovative and sustainable food packaging. In addition, as a result of EIB’s support, our RDI progress will be accelerated, which will see innovations delivered earlier than expected, further expanding our range of innovative products and services in order to reduce carbon footprint in our region.”

EU support for increased recycling and composting

The project will be funded through equity from Circularity Capital, EIB venture debt financing and third-party loans. The EIB venture loan is financed under the InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators set up, as part of Horizon 2020, the European Union’s research and innovation programme for 2014-2020. The combination of the EIB’s expertise and the European Commission’s support has made it possible to set up an innovative financing package for PackBenefit.

With funding from the European Investment Advisory Hub, EIB Advisory Services identified and sourced PackBenefit as a highly innovative company in the recycling and composting sector, supporting the Company in the preparation of the project for the EIB financing application.

The Project contributes to meeting increased recycling and composting targets presented in the updated EU Waste Framework and Packaging Waste Directives. Through its use of sustainable-based feedstock, its contribution to increased recycling/composting and replacement of fossil-based materials, the project also supports the transition to a circular economy in line with the new European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan, presented in March 2020.

Environmentally friendly solutions for the food-packaging sector

PackBenefit focuses on circular solutions that enable resource productivity, including extending asset life and reducing waste. PackBenefit offers sustainable food trays produced from wood-based virgin pulp, offering an environmentally-friendly solution for the food-packaging sector. The company also provides complementary packaging products such as lids and sustainable tray sealing film.