Exclusive Interview with…

Under your leadership, TIPA has become a globally recognized leader in compostable packaging. What are some of the key factors that contributed to this success, and how did you overcome any challenges along the way?

From the beginning, our success has been driven by a clear vision: to create compostable packaging that performs like conventional plastic but decomposes like organic waste. One of our key differentiators has been our commitment to innovation—developing advanced compostable materials that meet the functional needs of packaging while aligning with circular economy principles. Contributing to this is our in-house lab – unique among compostable packaging producers. It’s run by our R&D team, who bring decades of experience in materials, chemical and polymer science, to continuously test and refine customer solutions, eliminating many delays and bottlenecks that often come with external product engineering.

Challenges have certainly come along the way, particularly in educating both businesses and consumers about compostable solutions and in pushing for regulatory recognition. We’ve tackled these hurdles by partnering with brands and policymakers to ensure our solutions are practical, scalable, and widely accessible.

TIPA’s recent product innovation has increased the shelf-life of fresh produce by up to 2x. Can you walk us through the technology behind this packaging solution and how it compares to conventional plastic in terms of performance?

The 312MET Premium is our latest innovation at TIPA which is an advanced home compostable metallized high-barrier film. 312MET is a co-extruded metalized film that is a lightweight, thin metal solution, designed for high barrier protection against salt, oil, and moisture — perfect for the packaging of chips and other salty snacks. This was a common challenge for snack brands due to products’ corrosive properties that were looking for a sustainable packing solution.

This high-barrier film offers excellent sealing capabilities and is specifically engineered for lamination use. It is compatible with extrusion and solvent-based lamination processes, as well as water-based lamination. Paired with an additional cellulose or paper layer, the film offers the best 2-ply home compostable solution for crisps, chips, and snacks.

Unlike traditional plastics, which often end up in landfills or pollute the environment, ourcompostable films break down into nutrient-rich compost, making them a truly circular solution.

TIPA has collaborated with governments to develop the necessary legislation and infrastructure for alternative packaging solutions. How do you approach these collaborations, and what role do you believe governments should play in advancing sustainable packaging?

Collaboration with lawmakers and governments is essential in creating the right policy frameworks and waste management infrastructure to support compostable packaging. Our approach involves engaging policymakers early on, engaging in joint research projects, providing data and real-world case studies on the effectiveness of compostable solutions, and working with regional advocacy groups like the UK Composting Coalition and the US Composting Council.

Governments play a crucial role in setting clear regulatory pathways, incentivizing composting infrastructure, and ensuring that compostable packaging is recognized as an essential part of waste management solutions. We advocate for policies that support industrial and home composting systems, alongside bans or restrictions on traditional single-use plastics that have no viable end-of-life solution. We also work to change regulations that place compostable plastics in the same category as single use, conventional plastics, which is absurd.

TIPA recently acquired Bio4Pack, which is a major player in compostable packaging solutions. What drove the decision to acquire Bio4Pack, and how will this acquisition enhance TIPA’s portfolio?

The acquisition of Bio4Pack was a strategic move to strengthen TIPA’s position as a global leader in compostable packaging. Bio4Pack has built – and is still building – a strong reputation in Europe over the past 15 years, offering a comprehensive range of compostable solutions that meet stringent industry standards. By joining forces, we are not only expanding our product portfolio but also reinforcing our ability to provide truly circular packaging solutions to a growing market.

This acquisition enhances TIPA’s offerings in several ways. Firstly, Bio4Pak is an applications specialist company and added new products to our lineup: paper packaging from agricultural waste, trays, nets, and paddy straw trays made from rice waste—broadening our ability to serve different industries with innovative, sustainable alternatives to plastic. After the acquisition, Bio4Pak became TIPA’s official applications division in Europe.

Secondly, it allows us to expand our presence in Europe, further penetrating key industries and applications with additional sales representatives in the Netherlands and Germany and local warehousing facilities that improve logistics and customer service. Finally, it aligns with our mission to work collaboratively with industry leaders to drive widespread adoption of compostable packaging and reduce plastic pollution.

As an expert in the circular economy, what do you believe are the most significant hurdles to achieving a truly circular packaging system, and how can companies overcome them?

The greatest challenges in implementing these principles in businesses are centered around infrastructure, consumer education, and regulatory consistency. While consumer awareness of plastic pollution and its alternatives is growing, gaps in access to composting facilities and collection programs need to close in order to have more widespread adoption. Regulatory frameworks also need to catch up to recognize compostables and composting as a critical component of waste management.

One of the biggest hurdles is the lack of uniform infrastructure for composting and recycling. Additionally, there’s a need for clearer labeling to help consumers correctly dispose of sustainable packaging.

To overcome these challenges, businesses must take a proactive role in investing in sustainable materials, collaborating with policymakers to push for better waste management infrastructure, and educating consumers on proper disposal practices. Governments, in turn, need to create standardized systems and incentives that support compostable materials as part of the circular economy.

While compostable packaging is gaining momentum, it still faces some challenges in terms of consumer behavior and market acceptance. What do you think needs to change in the industry to accelerate its adoption?

Education is key. Many consumers still confuse compostable packaging with biodegradable plastics, which do not necessarily break down into organic matter. Clearer labeling, better public awareness campaigns, and consistent messaging from brands can help bridge this gap. Additionally, businesses need to take the lead in making sustainable choices mainstream. Large brands adopting compostable packaging will set an example for others and push the industry toward a more sustainable standard.

You have spoken at major events like the World Economic Forum and the Sustainable Packaging Summit. What role do you believe public speaking and education play in advancing the conversation about sustainable packaging?

Being seated at the table, or in this case – on stage, is the first step to being involved in the policy or decision making session.

Public speaking is a powerful tool for shaping the global dialogue around sustainable packaging. Events like the World Economic Forum provide a platform to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators who have the ability to drive real change.

By sharing insights, success stories, and the latest advancements in compostable packaging, we can inspire businesses to take action, push for better policies, and encourage investment in sustainable solutions. Awareness and education are critical in shifting perspectives and accelerating the adoption of circular economy principles.

What are some key policies that you believe need to be implemented to drive the widespread use of compostable packaging, and how can companies and governments work together to make these policies a reality?

• Recognition of compostable packaging in waste management regulations – Governments need to establish clear guidelines on how compostable materials should be collected, processed, and certified.
• Investment in composting infrastructure – Without the necessary facilities, compostable packaging cannot reach its full potential. Funding for municipal and local industrial composting sites should be a priority.
• Incentives for businesses adopting compostable solutions – Tax breaks or subsidies can encourage companies to switch from conventional plastics to compostable alternatives.
• Public education campaigns – Ensuring consumers understand how to properly dispose of compostable packaging will maximize its environmental benefits.

Given your expertise in plastic pollution and waste, what immediate actions do you believe should be taken to address the global plastic waste crisis, and how can compostable packaging contribute to the solution?

Firstly, as a society, we must reduce reliance on single-use plastics. This can be achieved by a multitude of ways but strong legislation should phase out plastics that cannot be effectively recycled or repurposed.

Global waste management systems are heavily reliant on landfills and incineration as a way to deal with worldwide waste. The consequences of these practices are widely known and inherently unsustainable, polluting, and destructive. Further expanding the designation of more composable materials as organic waste can significantly reduce the volume of plastic waste by encouraging the use of biodegradable alternatives that break down naturally. By diverting compostable materials from landfills and developing composting facilities, we can decrease the reliance on traditional waste management methods that contribute to environmental harm. Expanding composting facilities can help foster a circular economy, where waste is transformed into valuable resources, thus mitigating the impact of plastic pollution.

Increase corporate responsibility. Companies must take responsibility for the end-of-life of their packaging, ensuring that sustainable options are prioritized.

You’ve been recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how does it impact TIPA’s work and your continued efforts in driving innovation in packaging?

Being recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum is a great honor and a validation of the work we’ve done at TIPA. It highlights the importance of compostable packaging as a critical solution to the plastic waste crisis and provides us with a platform to collaborate with global leaders on sustainable initiatives.

This recognition further motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in packaging, expanding our impact, and advocating for policies that support a truly circular economy. Our mission remains the same: to create a world where packaging waste is no longer a problem, but part of the solution.