Have traditional boxing and canning options ever caused you to wonder what else might be out there for food and beverages? Food Dive recently assembled our first ever Food Startups Directory, and in the process we discovered a handful of companies that are bringing fresh takes on containers to market.
Have a look at five of our favorite packaging-related directory members below, and if you want to view a larger profile, simply click on the company name. From beverage cans that are more convenient to boxes with multiple uses, any one of these bright ideas has the potential to disrupt the industry.
1. ECONVENTION, LLC
Its claim to fame: A pizza box that splits into plates
(Image credit: Greenbox)
Econvention made a name for itself re-imagining how pizza boxes can work. The company's catalog now includes a variety of sizes for pizza and restaurant to-go items, and all of its packaging options are meant to be eco-friendly while providing extra utilitarian benefits. On top of that, the company also provides consulting and advertising services to its clients with those values in mind.
2. CAN2CLOSE
Its claim to fame: An intuitive, resealable closure system for cans
The company's mission is to work with beverage company's to provide a better aluminum can packaging for beverages. Right now, it is still working to bring its solution to the market, but it has already been honored with distinction as one of Food and Beverage Packaging's "Breakthroughs of the Year" and recognition at the 2013 Munich Business Plan Competition.
3. LIQUIGLIDE
Its claim to fame: A coating to help food flow out of containers
LiquiGlide's technology was developed at the Masschusetts Institute of Technology. The company claims that its product works on ceramic, glass, metal and plastic—and it may even help keep soda from going flat. Here's what it looks like when applied to a ketchup bottle.
4. SILENT DYNAMITE, LLC
Its claim to fame: A bottle that doubles as a drinking glass
(Image credit: FlipBottle.com)
You may have seen the FlipBottle on our list of innovative bottle and can designs earlier this year. The drinking vessel is certainly unlike any wine or sparkling beverage bottle we've seen before. Take one look, and you should be able to understand the potential that inventor Vincent Allorra saw for such a bottle in the single-serving wine market.
5. THE CAN VAN
Its claim to fame: Being a turnkey canning solution for independent breweries
(Image credit: Facebook)
For California's small breweries who want to specialize in beer and not packaging, The Can Van seems like a bright ray of sunshine. The Bay Area-based team offers equipment use and canning services that allow small-scale brewers to devote more time to their product.
Would you like to see more food and beverage industry news and information like this in your inbox on a daily basis? Subscribe to our Food Dive email newsletter! You may also want to check out Food Dive's look at 5 food startups with big plans for ingredients.