Evanesce Molded Starch

Evanesce Molded Starch tray / Source: Evanesce

BagasseCompostableEvanesce Molded StarchFood & BeverageFood GradeFreezer SafeLeak ProofMicrowave SafeNorth AmericaOil ResistantOven SafePackaging

WHAT WE SAY:

One day, we’ll look back at the plastic era and wonder how we engaged in the collective delusion of making trillions of single-use items out of non-renewable resources, instead of tapping into the abundance of nature.

Starch, alongside cellulose, is one of the most widely occurring natural substances, so it’s great to see it being used as the basis for fibre-based alternatives in the food packaging industry.

Evanesce Molded Starch

WHAT IS EVANESCE MOULDED STARCH?

Evanesce Moulded Starch (EMS) is a mix of plant starches and fibres that can be formed into shape to replace single-use plastic and EPS, or Styrofoam.
The material was launched in the North American market in 2022 with a focus on replacing EPS meat trays, food containers, cups and meal trays.
EMS is 100% biodegradable and is home compostable in less than 90 days. The company claims the material could theoretically be eaten, although it is not recommended.
Because EMS is feedstock agnostic – starches and fibre can be found in potato, tapioca, Bagasse, discarded rice husks and so on – producers can switch to cheaper feedstocks depending on market conditions, rather than being tied to wood pulp or Paper.
This results in the company reporting that its moulded starch packaging is significantly cheaper than other eco-friendly alternatives, although the company only offers bespoke pricing quotes.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Compostable
Food Grade
Freezer Safe
Leak Proof
Microwave Safe
Oil Resistant
Oven Safe

INDUSTRY:

Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

EMS is made from a mix of 60% starch, 35% plant fibres and 5% other undisclosed plant-based ingredients.
EMS is processed by creating a ‘dough’ from its mixed materials that gets ‘baked’ into shape by food processing equipment similar to those that make chocolate bars. The equipment comes from Swiss equipment manufacturer Bühler.
The material is BPI-certified compostable (meeting ASTM D6400 and/or ASTM D6868) at home and in commercial facilities, meaning it leaves behind no toxic residues or microplastics.
EMS is free from BPA, PFAS, formaldehyde and other synthetic plasticisers.
EMS products are both freezer and oven-safe.
The company, Evanesce, has two distribution centres in the US: in Las Vegas and South Carolina. Its key market is currently North America.

An illustrated comparison between Styrofoam and EMS trays / Source: Evanesce

Packaging trays / Source: Evanesce

KEY FACTS:

3x

The company claims Evanesce Molded Starch is up to three times stronger than EPS

90 days

Evanesce Molded Starch products take 90 days or less to decompose – it takes Styrofoam 500 years

100%

Evanesce’s Molded Starch technology is 100% plant-based, made with starch and fibre

Key Questions to Ask:

Does uncoated EMS offer the required performance for your use case?

Evanesce’s products are uncoated, made from 100% plant-based starch and fibre. This is great for end-of-life, but means they are better suited for short-term, single-use applications that don’t require a prolonged moisture barrier. The company reports that it is working on its biopolymer-coated products which will offer superior moisture resistance – we are watching closely and will update you when these are in-market.

What is the local composting infrastructure like in your primary markets?

While EMS is home compostable, even Evanesce founder Douglas Horne argues it would be better to expand commercial composting facilities, as it is not desirable to have everyone home composting.