Futamura UK, a global leader in sustainable cellulose-based solutions, and Biopap®, a pioneer in compostable food packaging, are reinforcing their 25-year relationship to accelerate innovation in compostable solutions for the food service industry.

The collaboration combines Futamura’s regenerated cellulose film, NatureFlex™, with Biopap’s high-performance, compostable food trays. Together, the companies have developed functional compostable packaging, derived from renewable raw materials with the most practical end-of-life.

The London Marathon is rightly celebrated for endurance, fundraising, and community spirit. It has also made progress on reducing event waste. But one growing sustainability blind spot that receives far less attention is running gel packaging.

With around 60,000 runners expected to take part in the 2026 London Marathon, and an estimated 72% using energy gels, as many as 432,000 hydration gel sachets could be used during the race.

“Now that we use Pulp Ultra®, everything about how we produce our meals and everything about the child's experience in school is completely different and worlds apart from where we were prior to working with Sabert.”

Sabert Corporation Europe has delivered a unique solution for children’s ready-meals for Irish school meals provider, Carambola.

Tracking freshness from inside the packaging

BlakBear’s technology uses miniature sensors placed inside food packaging to monitor freshness in real time. These sensors measure gases released as food spoils, such as volatile compounds like ammonia, as well as temperature. The data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth and RFID, and displayed on a web dashboard or API. By correlating spoilage gases with bacterial growth and odour, BlakBear’s AI delivers real-time microbiology insights and shelf-life forecasts.

Under the terms of the agreement, Soteria will acquire all issued and outstanding common shares of Imaflex for CAD $2.35 per share in cash, representing total equity value of approximately CAD $123 million. Upon completion of the transaction, Imaflex will become a privately held company.