1. Amcor shortlisted four startups to enhance compostable packaging barriers. 2. The initiative aims to improve Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) for sustainability. 3. Shortlisted teams reflect innovation and align with Amcor’s sustainability goals. 4. Startups may receive funding and collaboration opportunities for technical advancements. 5. Amcor Lift-Off fosters partnerships to accelerate packaging industry innovation.
The focus on innovative sustainable solutions positions AMCR favorably in a growing market, reflecting past successes in collaborative R&D that boosted their technological advantage and market perception.
The emphasis on sustainability and innovation aligns with market trends, making AMCR a pivotal player in addressing future packaging needs, thereby enhancing its brand and financial performance.
Successful collaborations can lead to new product lines and market opportunities, evidenced by Amcor's previous Lift-Off initiatives that opened new revenue streams and promoted brand loyalty.
ZURICH, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX: AMC), a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, announced the shortlist for its latest Amcor Lift-Off challenge, focused on finding solutions to one of the most important hurdles in sustainable packaging: delivering effective Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) barriers for compostable substrates, including paper. The four shortlisted start-ups, based across the U.K. and the U.S., will move on to the next phase of assessment.
In this latest Amcor Lift-Off competition, several start-up companies presented their cutting-edge solutions to the challenge of providing superior moisture protection in fiber and other compostable packaging materials. Despite being at different stages in the development process, each of the shortlisted companies stood out for their unique approach to tackling this challenge. The four selected teams will now enter a more rigorous evaluation process with Amcor's R&D and Corporate Venturing teams. This may include technical trials, joint development agreements and potential investment.
"We're energized by the creativity and commitment these innovators bring to the table," said Frank Lehmann, Vice President Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation at Amcor. "Their ideas not only align with Amcor's sustainability ambitions but also reflect the power of open innovation to accelerate progress across the packaging industry. Their technologies show strong promise in helping to meet the functional demands of moisture-sensitive applications while advancing our sustainability goals."
This challenge was launched under the Amcor Lift-Off Sprints program — one of two tracks within the broader Amcor Lift-Off initiative. First introduced in 2022, Amcor Lift-Off is an open-call platform designed to identify and support early-stage start-ups working on breakthrough packaging technologies. Through Lift-Off Sprints, the focus is on solving specific R&D challenges by offering selected start-ups the opportunity to collaborate with our technical teams and receive up to $500,000 in funding. Previous Amcor Lift-Off rounds have led to successful collaborations in areas such as:
Lehmann added, "Amcor Lift-Off is more than a funding mechanism — it's a gateway to long-term partnerships. Our ambition is to be the go-to partner for packaging innovation, and Amcor Lift-Off helps us connect with the brightest minds in the start-up ecosystem."
For more information about the Amcor Lift-Off initiative and to apply for the challenge, please visit amcor.com/ventures/lift-off. To learn more about Amcor's corporate venturing, visit amcor.com/ventures.
Amcor is a global leader in packaging solutions for consumer and healthcare products. With industry-leading innovation capabilities, global scale and technical expertise, we help our customers grow and meet the needs of millions of consumers every day. Our teams develop responsible, more sustainable packaging in flexible and rigid formats across multiple materials. Supported by a commitment to safety, ~70,000 colleagues across ~140 countries bring our global capabilities to local customers and provide local access to global brands. Our work is guided by our purpose of elevating customers, shaping lives and protecting the future.
NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC www.amcor.com | LinkedIn | YouTube
SOURCE Amcor : Four innovative start-ups selected for solutions that provide barriers for compostable substrates