NatuWrap

Natuwrap is applied post-harvest to citrus produce / Source: Natuwrap

AfricaCelluloseEdibleFood & BeverageMoisture BarrierNatuWrapNorth AmericaOdour ResistantOxygen Barrier PackagingTransparent

WHAT WE SAY:

It has long been argued that single-use plastic packaging is necessary because it prolongs the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables. Recent research from WRAP, however, has finally dispelled this myth.

Some form of protection can extend moisture levels though and Natuwrap is giving us a perfect solution. Their natural, edible coating extends shelf-life without the use of any plastic. It’s innovative, economical and poses the great question - what else could this be used for beyond fresh produce?

NatuWrap

WHAT IS NATUWRAP?

Natuwrap is a transparent food coating, which improves the shelf-life of fresh produce.
Made from natural ingredients, such as clays and tree extracts, the patented coating is edible, odourless and tasteless, and is approved for use on organic fruits.
It can be applied either pre or post-harvest and works by creating a gas barrier, which slows the rate at which oxygen enters and water leaves produce.
It was developed by researchers at Texas State University in 2015 and commercialised via Nabaco Inc. in 2019.
Coating produce is a one-step, one-time process. It can be applied in a number of different ways, including being sprayed directly onto fruit and vegetables or added to the washing process.
When Natuwrap is consumed with the produce, there is no waste after use. Where peels or skins are discarded, it will naturally compost along with them.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Edible
Moisture Barrier
Odour Resistant
Oxygen Barrier
Transparent

INDUSTRY:

Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

In the US over USD 30 billion is lost to spoiled wholesale produce each year, while on a global scale one-third of all food produced is lost across the farm-to-end consumer chain. Food loss and waste accounts for as much as 6% of total GHG emissions.
Plastic wrapping and packaging has been used as a way to prevent food spoilage and waste but with as much as 97% of certain types of fruit and vegetables being wrapped in plastic, the waste is adding up.
In addition, a 2022 study found that selling fresh produce loose could prevent 14 million shopping baskets worth of food from going to waste and 1,100 rubbish trucks of avoidable plastic.
France has banned plastic packaging for nearly all fruit and vegetables and many supermarkets are also taking action. Simply removing plastic is the obvious solution but it does leave some produce, such as grapes and berries, vulnerable to spoilage and it does not answer food wastage issues elsewhere in the supply chain.
Natuwrap is designed for use throughout the supply chain, avoiding waste during transit and on the shelves and cutting out the need for plastic.
The edible coating can triple the shelf life of fruit and vegetables and it is classified as safe for human consumption by the US FDA.
Natuwrap is unique in the molecular composition of the coating, which is only between one and three microns thick. The combination of natural polymers and clay nanoparticles self-assemble into what Nabaco Inc. calls a “brick and mortar like structure,” which acts as a barrier to the exit of water and ingress of oxygen. It also works to prevent the formation of mould.
Currently, Natuwrap is marketed for use on grapes, apples, pears, melons, plantains, citrus and avocados.
Nabaco Inc. claims it can reduce shatter in grapes (where clusters fail to mature) by 50% and extend green stems by an additional two to three days. One coat, the company says, can reduce fruit losses by up to 50% and can extend the green life window of plantains from three to nine days. In refrigerated settings, coated blackberries have lasted up to 14 days without mould development.
The application of Natuwrap does not require an investment in new equipment. Crops and produce can be sprayed or dipped using standard agricultural equipment.
The company claims that the components and manufacture of Natuwrap make it less than 20% of the cost of other produce coatings, such as Apeel.
Natuwrap-coated produce is currently available through US retailers Whole Foods and H-E-B through its network of global growers and distributors. Current US expansion opportunities are being explored with Safeway, Kroger and Walmart.
Its first order was shipped to Ghana for use on plantains.
Nabaco Inc. competed in the Rice Business Plan Competition in 2019 and won USD 102,000 in cash prizes. It won a further USD 38,000 from competitions in Texas and Dubai, which allowed it to start operations in 2019.
A subsequent seed round raised USD 4,250,000.

Natuwrap is suitable for use on grapes / Source: UnSplash

Natuwrap-coated avocados / Source: Natuwrap

KEY FACTS:

$30bn

In the US, over USD 30 billion is lost to spoiled wholesale produce each year.

97%

Of certain types of fruit produce are wrapped in plastic.

14 days

In refrigerated settings, blackberries coated with Natuwrap have lasted up to 14 days without mould development.

Key Questions to Ask:

How can you make consumers aware of Natuwrap?

As Natuwrap is transparent and odourless, there are no inherent branding opportunities. Consider in-store signage or on-label branding to promote its presence.

How is Natuwrap produced?

Consider where the raw ingredients for Natuwrap are sourced and ensure those sources are sustainably and responsibly managed.

Are you transporting water?

Powdered or tablet-form solutions are increasingly popular to cut down on transport emissions. Is this a viable option that can be explored with Natuwrap’s manufacturers?

What remaining packaging is necessary for the produce?

Investigate if the protective qualities of Natuwrap allow for a reduction of transport packaging and explore plastic-free options for any unavoidable secondary packaging.

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NatuWrap

WHAT WE SAY:

It has long been argued that single-use plastic packaging is necessary because it prolongs the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables. Recent research from WRAP, however, has finally dispelled this myth.

WHAT IS NATUWRAP?

KEY PROPERTIES:

INDUSTRY:

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

In the US over USD 30 billion is lost to spoiled wholesale produce each year, while on a global scale one-third of all food produced is lost across the farm-to-end consumer chain. Food loss and waste accounts for as much as 6% of total GHG emissions.

Plastic wrapping and packaging has been used as a way to prevent food spoilage and waste but with as much as 97% of certain types of fruit and vegetables being wrapped in plastic, the waste is adding up.

In addition, a 2022 study found that selling fresh produce loose could prevent 14 million shopping baskets worth of food from going to waste and 1,100 rubbish trucks of avoidable plastic.

Natuwrap is designed for use throughout the supply chain, avoiding waste during transit and on the shelves and cutting out the need for plastic.

The edible coating can triple the shelf life of fruit and vegetables and it is classified as safe for human consumption by the US FDA.

Currently, Natuwrap is marketed for use on grapes, apples, pears, melons, plantains, citrus and avocados.

The application of Natuwrap does not require an investment in new equipment. Crops and produce can be sprayed or dipped using standard agricultural equipment.

The company claims that the components and manufacture of Natuwrap make it less than 20% of the cost of other produce coatings, such as Apeel.

Natuwrap-coated produce is currently available through US retailers Whole Foods and H-E-B through its network of global growers and distributors. Current US expansion opportunities are being explored with Safeway, Kroger and Walmart.

Its first order was shipped to Ghana for use on plantains.

Nabaco Inc. competed in the Rice Business Plan Competition in 2019 and won USD 102,000 in cash prizes. It won a further USD 38,000 from competitions in Texas and Dubai, which allowed it to start operations in 2019.

A subsequent seed round raised USD 4,250,000.

KEY FACTS:

$30bn

97%

14 days

Key Questions to Ask:

How can you make consumers aware of Natuwrap?

How is Natuwrap produced?

Are you transporting water?

What remaining packaging is necessary for the produce?

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