This post is a part of the Early Stage Climate Startup series from Climafix 2024
Highlights
- Coffee husk waste into biodegradable packaging materials.
- Chemical-free, zero-effluent process offers packaging with higher water resistance.
1. Value Proposition
- VAPAC’s is converting coffee husks, into eco-friendly packaging solutions, like corrugated cardboard, kraft paper bags, and other paper products. They use a production process that is chemical-free, effluent-free, and 10% more water-resistant than convectional cardboard options.
2. Pain Points
- Deforestation: Using coffee husks instead of wood pulp, reduces deforestation associated with the logging and processing of trees.
- Waste Management: Coffee husk waste is either discarded or burned. This leads to issues such as soil degradation and air pollution. VAPAC repurposes this waste rather than disposing.
3. Climate Impact
- The coffee husk would otherwise be burned or left to rot, releasing harmful GHGs such as CO2 and CH4. VAPAC’s zero-effluent production process ensures that no harmful waste or by-products are released into the environment during production.
4. Current & Future Target Segments
- Current Targets Segments: Industries such as logistics, e-commerce and electronics.
- Future Target Segments: International e-commerce giants, FMCG brands, and potentially even governmental bodies.
5. USPs
- Raw Material: Unlike competitors who still rely on wood-based pulp, VAPAC uses coffee husk, a waste product that would otherwise be discarded.
- Organic water-resistant process: The production method is completely organic, with no chemicals or artificial colorants, and 10% more water-resistant than traditional options.
6. Team Profiles
- Vikas Shetty (Founder & CEO): With a background in mechanical engineering and business. His achievement includes receiving the BIRAC Sparsh Fellowship in 2023 for his work on combating environmental pollution. His leadership ensures that VAPAC remains focused on eco-friendly innovations.
7. Startup Headquarters
- India: Bengaluru