French natural-polymer producer Lactips and US packaging technology business SmartSolve have entered into a global strategic partnership to develop and bring plastic-free packaging solutions to market.
The companies started collaborating in 2024 and report that their joint work has moved PureNil 0 from initial development to commercial production in under two years. Their agreement now covers a broader, long-term innovation programme focused on future generations of bio-based packaging, in addition to the existing material.
PureNil 0 forms the foundation of the partnership. The companies describe it as a flexible packaging substrate that is fully plastic-free, dispersible and suitable for printing.
The substrate pairs SmartSolve’s bio-based functionalised paper with Lactips’ natural polymer resin technology. According to the partners, the material is bio-based, water-soluble and biodegradable. It also disperses quickly in water without generating microplastic residues, addressing priorities associated with food and drink sustainability.
Potential for food and beverage applications
PureNil 0 has approval for direct food contact, which creates opportunities in selected food and beverage categories as well as non-food consumer applications. SmartSolve identifies confectionery, snacks and powdered drink mixes as suitable areas, particularly where products do not require a high moisture barrier.
The company’s existing pouch designs target dry goods and support the production of heat-sealed flexible packs. SmartSolve says PureNil 0 can run on existing form-fill-seal machinery and provides a printable surface for branded packaging, supporting developments in food and drink packaging and food and drink marketing.
As a result, manufacturers may have an additional route for reducing or eliminating conventional plastic in single-serve packs and other dry-product formats. Possible uses include snack portions, sweets, powdered beverages and similar products whose packaging specifications permit a lower-barrier structure.
Final suitability will depend on several factors, including the product formulation, required shelf life and storage environment. Manufacturers will also need to assess the material against relevant food and drink regulations and production requirements before commercial adoption.
End-of-life considerations built into packaging development
The agreement reflects a wider movement across food manufacturing trends and food and beverage industry trends: packaging developers are increasingly evaluating a pack’s disposal pathway alongside its performance during use.
Instead of depending only on mechanical recycling systems, PureNil 0 has been designed to disperse in water. SmartSolve’s current product information also points to recycling and composting as possible end-of-life options, allowing manufacturers to select an appropriate route according to the application and wider packaging system.
This flexibility could become more valuable as food and drink producers respond to plastic reduction commitments, extended producer responsibility obligations and growing concern about microplastics. These pressures are also influencing food distribution trends, as companies consider how packaging performs across transport, retail and disposal networks.
PureNil 0 is not presented as a complete substitute for every flexible plastic film. Its immediate focus remains on applications with less demanding barrier requirements. Consequently, pack performance, shelf-life protection and compatibility between the product and packaging will continue to guide material selection.
A foundation for future material development
The strategic relationship between SmartSolve and Lactips is intended to create more than a single commercial product.
Lactips contributes its capabilities in natural-polymer development and manufacturing, while SmartSolve provides expertise in packaging design and application development. Together, the companies plan to pursue an innovation roadmap covering new bio-based and plastic-free packaging materials, reflecting wider food processing technology and food and drink industry innovation.
SmartSolve CEO and co-founder Jonathan Jakubowski said: “What started as an R&D collaboration is now a long-term strategic partnership, and PureNil 0 is proof that plastic-free packaging isn’t a future promise — it’s here today.”
Lactips CEO Alexis von Tschammer called the agreement an important step in the company’s international growth. He said the partners aim to speed the adoption of “zero waste natural packaging solutions”.
