Material technology company Footprint has purchased a recyclable, home-compostable, polyethylene (PE)-free hot and cold cup platform from Transcend Packaging.
The deal also includes next-generation paper lid and straw solutions.
The acquisition expands Footprint’s offering in the global cup market with an established alternative to plastic-lined cups.
The company said it will scale the PE-free solution through its facility in Poland as it expands across Europe, with North America set to follow.
During the ramp-up in Poland, Footprint will partner with Transcend to maintain customer supply across Europe.
Transcend will manufacture products for Footprint customers from its Wales facility, while continuing to serve customers in the UK and Ireland.
Traditional paper cups use polyethylene plastic linings to hold hot and cold drinks, which can limit recyclability in many existing systems.
Footprint said its cup and lid replace that lining with a mineral-based coating designed to support recycling or home-composting without compromising performance.
The company added that the PE-free cup has been independently tested for recyclability, compostability, and material composition.
As part of the move, Transcend co-founders Lorenzo Angelucci and Gabriel Fysh are joining Footprint’s European leadership team.
Angelucci will serve as president for Europe, leading the company’s regional business.
Fysh will become business development managing director for Europe, focused on customer adoption and commercial growth.
Angelucci noted: “Transcend developed a strong solution, and Footprint has the manufacturing platform, customer reach, and mission-driven focus to take it further.”
Footprint CEO Corey Berends said: “This PE-free cup platform gives Footprint a proven technology we can scale globally at a time when customers need solutions that support emerging regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.”
Footprint said it plans to bring the technology to more customers and markets as demand grows for packaging that works within existing recycling systems.
In October 2024, Transcend entered a multi-year commercial supply agreement with 2M Group of Companies to implement Xampla’s plastic-free Morro coating in the UK.
