Apeel

Coating visualisation / Source: Apeel Sciences

Anti-MicrobialApeelEdibleEuropeFood & BeverageFood GradeMoisture BarrierNorth AmericaOxygen Barrier PackagingTransparent

WHAT WE SAY:

Apeel’s USD 2 billion valuation is testament to the revolutionary potential of its coating.

Plastic advocates love to claim that we need to wrap our food in plastic to reduce food waste, even if that myth has already been well and truly busted. But now, with Apeel’s invisible coating, we have evidence that there are natural, plant-based alternatives that will appeal (pun intended) to both suppliers and consumers. Remember, sometimes the best packaging is no packaging.

Apeel

WHAT IS APEEL?

Apeel coatings are a thin, edible, plant-based layer designed to reduce food waste of fresh produce, such as avocados, limes, apples and oranges.
The colourless, odourless and tasteless coatings keep moisture within the produce, and oxygen out – which can extend products’ lifespan by two to three times.
Apeel Sciences works with both growers and suppliers, such as Del Monte, as well as retailers such as Kroger, Asda, and others throughout the US, UK and Europe. Since 2019, the company claims to have prevented over 42 million pieces of fruit from going to waste.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Anti-Microbial
Edible
Food Grade
Moisture Barrier
Oxygen Barrier
Transparent

INDUSTRY:

Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Mass Market

DIVE DEEPER:

The UN estimate that one third of all food produced globally is lost or goes to waste. Apeel’s coating is designed to reduce wastage of fresh produce, while minimising the need for plastic packaging.
Apeel-coated citrus have up to triple the shelf life of conventional non-coated citrus, and its apples require up to three litres less water than conventional non-coated apples.
The company’s own life cycle assessment found that produce with its coating led to a 10-25% reduction in environmental impact in terms of CO2 and water usage.
Apeel’s coatings are made from lipids and glycerolipids, which are found in the peels, pulps and seeds of fruits and vegetables. Exact compositions vary depending on specific application.
Due to its plant-based ingredients, the coating is edible, which means it can be applied to fruit that is fully consumed (such as apples) as well as those where the outer layer is removed (such as avocados, oranges or limes).
Apeel coatings are stored in a dry, powdered form before being diluted with water for application. It is applied post-harvest through traditional methods of spraying, dipping or brushing. It can also remove the need to apply a post-harvest wax, which typically contains a synthetic fungicide.
Apeel states that the coating is not derived from animal sources and so could be considered vegan (although it is not officially certified as such). The company offers formulas that can be applied to USDA Certified Organic produce.

Apeel process / Source: Apeel Sciences

Apeel products / Source: Apeel Sciences

KEY FACTS:

1 in 4

avocados purchased currently end up in the trash

42mn

Since 2019, Apeel claims to have prevented over 42 million pieces of fruit from going to waste

10-25%

Apeel found that produce with its coating led to a 10-25% reduction in environmental impact in terms of CO2 and water usage

Key Questions to Ask:

How do you communicate with consumers without packaging?

The invisibility of Apeel’s coating means it does not involve design considerations itself, however, you should consider how you will communicate your use of Apeel to customers via your secondary packaging.

Can you print additional information onto coated items?

Laser technology is already being used to ‘label’ fruit, avoiding the plastic stickers. It may be possible to use this on the Apeel coating too.

Can you tell a story through your coating?

Apeel coatings can be tailored to specific use cases (such as for organic produce). Consider how certain formulations might align with and reinforce your brand goals. For example, could you use base feedstocks that were sourced locally or from artisan producers?

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