Bayer and yet2 launch innovation challenge for biodegradable packaging

The Consumer Health Division of Bayer, which owns global brands including Aspirin, Bepanthen, Claritin, and Elevit, has collaborated with long-time open innovation partner, yet2, to launch a sustainable packaging Innovation Challenge. Bayer invites innovators and technologists to share sustainable packaging materials, including biodegradable or compostable, flexible and rigid packaging solutions, for use in packaging Bayer’s consumer healthcare products. This challenge will accelerate Bayer’s efforts to reach a target of 100% of Consumer Health packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 20301. Challenge submissions should be emailed to bayerpackagingchallenge@yet2.com and additional details on challenge requirements can be found here.

To help Bayer achieve their goals of being climate neutral by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the Consumer Health Division is prioritizing “reduce, recycle, reuse and replace” across their products and packaging. All new product development projects are evaluated for sustainability performance, and Bayer has already started converting paper packaging to include PCR content and sourcing from certified and well managed forests1. To further progress towards their sustainability targets, Bayer is once again leveraging open innovation as a strategic asset, powered by their partnership with yet2, to identify promising external technologies and accelerate the pace of sustainable packaging innovation at Bayer without compromising their commitment to improving the health of their consumers.

“We look forward to bringing in the expertise from specialists in the area of sustainable packaging. Designing and developing more sustainable packaging, as early as possible in the product design and development stages, is vital to reduce the impact on our environment and achieve Bayer’s ambitious sustainability goals,” said Keiko Tago, head of packaging sustainability, Consumer Health.

Bayer Consumer Health’s product packaging currently meets requirements for the protection of products; however, it frequently results in waste that does not break down when discarded and is not sourced from sustainable materials. Bayer is now seeking biodegradable, compostable, dissolvable, or edible packaging that ensures its products maintain their efficacy and quality standards. Packaging formats of interest include sachets and/or rigid or flexible tubes. Potential packaging material solution areas include those derived from sources such as seaweed or plant extracts such as alginate, starch, bagasse, cellulose, or mycelium; chitosan; agricultural waste, and more.

Key requirements for potential submissions include:

• Sustainable packaging and material end-of-life
• Potential to scale to industrial packaging volumes
• Achieve specific Water Vapor and Oxygen Transmission Rates
• Solutions derived from bio-sourced or renewably sourced materials are preferred

More detail on challenge requirements can be viewed here.

The challenge is open for submissions starting Sept. 1, 2022, and Bayer will continue to receive and review submissions into October. Submissions should be sent to bayerpackagingchallenge@yet2.com.

Submissions should include non-confidential information only that covers:

• An overview of the technology solution
• Data on water vapor transmission and oxygen transmission rates
• Current scale or potential to scale
• Relevant patents
• Any supporting details such as technical spec sheets, pictures, etc.

Promising startups, entrepreneurs, technologists, and researchers are encouraged to submit.