Gan Shmuel, Israel – Sustainable food packaging pioneer W-Cycle, Ltd. is deepening its
alliance with Melhoramentos to answer demand for plastic-free, compostable food
containers through its breakthrough packaging formula. The publicly traded Brazilian
company with activities spanning publishing, renewable forestry, and real estate has
injected fresh investment into W-cycle, propelling its innovation journey into the realm of
eco-responsible packaging development.
This move follows a USD 3.4 million strategic partnership sealed in November 2024 between
the two entities to supply Melhoramentos W-Cycle’s proprietary food-grade packaging
composition, with exclusive rights to serve the Latin American market.
During the past 18 months of the collaboration, Melhoramentos has been consulting with
W-cycle on effectively integrating cellulose fibers that are sourced from its own 80 million
square meter renewable forestry operations. A portion of Melhoramentos’ pulp is being
redirected from traditional use within the paper and cardboard production industry toward
the production of high-performance compostable food containers, giving the natural and
abundant material new purpose.
“Having successfully merged our raw materials with W-Cycle’s truly groundbreaking solution
and after a year and a half of consultations and professional support, this proven and tested
innovation and collaboration, makes this latest investment the logical next step forward,”
declares Rafael Gibini, CEO of Melhoramentos.
“We are excited and feel fortunate to collaborate with Melhoramentos in moving our
venture forward,” says Isaac Rome, CEO of W-Cycle. “Our shared mission to improve the
global food packaging value chain will help build a sustainable future for all. The financial
support from this leading company gives us significant R&D leverage and acceleration into
large-scale commercial deployment with multi-million-dollar revenue.”
Packaging from the Earth…. and back
W-Cycle, a clean-tech start-up, is breaking new ground within the molded fiber space with
the creation of its innovative range of food-grade SupraPulp™ formulas. SupraPulp helps
molded fiber producers manufacture a new generation of food compliant, eco-friendly trays
and containers that are as robust as plastic yet require no plastic lamination and fully
decompose back to the earth after use.
When combined with various types of fiber-based sidestreams, such as sugarcane waste
(bagasse) or eucalyptus wood fiber, these cutting-edge additives boost material resilience,
allowing for molded fiber food packaging that is eco-friendly yet meticulously engineered to
withstand grease, moisture, and temperature variations.
New Solutions
W-Cycle’s proprietary portfolio of solutions is designed to hold either frozen or hot, oily
foods—ideal for the food, food service, and food delivery sectors. The company also has
developed more heavy-duty solutions designed to contain greasy moist food during heating
(including in air fryers), baking, and freezing. Tailored for caterers and ready-to-eat meal
manufacturers, these lightweight structures can withstand extreme temperatures ranging
from -40° to 220°C without risk of leakage or breakage. These formulas serve food
packaging manufacturers seeking to upgrade their own solutions, or fiber manufacturers
seeking to join the molded fiber and compostable food container movement.
The new infusion of capital W-Cycle intends to expand and upgrade its R&D department to
further fine tune the capabilities of its packaging solutions and accelerate development of
new formulations. The funding also will help scale W-Cycle’s operations, bolster its sales
teams with top-tier professionals, support growth strategies, and widen its market
presence.
Partners in Sustainability
“Our collaboration with W-Cycle represents a watershed moment. It is paving the way for us
to channel our raw materials toward solving one of the world’s most pressing
environmental challenges: the plastic waste crisis. This partnership has simultaneously
opened a significant new market for us,” enthuses Gibini. “Our new packaging meets the
environmental and regulatory demands for providing our clients with a safe, efficient, and
competitive option. Moreover, by producing locally, we ensure supply agility and contribute
to strengthening the national production chain.”
Mordor Intelligence points to a burgeoning global sustainable packaging market that is
expected to exceed USD 400 billion in value by 2029. In Latin America, manufacturers are
applying greater effort into adopting more recyclable and compostable materials, aligning
with growing consumer environmental consciousness.
“This investment not only solidifies our strategic alliance with Melhoramentos, unlocking
powerful synergies,” adds Isaac Rome, CEO of W-Cycle. “It also opens new doors to new
solutions that can tangibly address the rising calls for high-performance materials sourced
from renewable resources that can effectively replace single-use plastic containers.”
About W-cycle
W-cycle, Holdings Intl., Ltd. is a clean-tech company that offers eco-friendly solutions to
replace plastic food packaging with its patented naturally derived, field-tested SupraPulp™
cellulose material. The company custom-designs private label compostable food packaging
formulas for molded-fiber manufacturers. Committed to eliminating plastic from the food
industry, W-Cycle advises businesses across the packaging and food value chain, guiding
them in selecting, designing, and implementing sustainable materials, thus empowering
companies to accelerate the adoption of sustainable, food-compliant packaging solutions.
About Melhoramentos
Companhia Melhoramentos de São Paulo is a publicly traded company that is active directly
or through its subsidiaries in publishing, forestry cultivation and management, high-
performance cellulose fiber production, and real estate development.
Positioning itself as a transformative agent, Melhoramentos is committed to sustainable
development in Brazil, adding value to its products, services, and ventures. Founded over
130 years ago, Melhoramentos is headquartered in São Paulo and has locations in
Camanducaia (MG), Bragança Paulista (SP), and Caieiras (SP).
Source : Dairynews7x7 April 3rd 2025 Press note W-Cycle