Sykell Founders Davide Mazzanti and Michael Kappler
Sykell, the Berlin-based circular economy company operating across Europe, announces the launch of its system expansion EINFACH MEHRWEG PREFILL, adding an industry-changing component to its existing takeaway reusable system EINFACH MEHRWEG. This brings Sykell one step closer to its goal of establishing a comprehensive reusable ecosystem. In addition to the rollout of EINFACH MEHRWEG PREFILL in Germany, Sykell is now also expanding its range of packaging solutions as a turnkey solution for reusable packaging system operators to the European market.
Davide Mazzanti, CEO and Co-Founder of Sykell, says: “Reusable systems are the answer to the massive loss of resources caused by single-use plastics in the food sector.” Due to the high volume of plastic and packaging waste, the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR) requires brands to ensure that their packaging contains at least 10% recycled content from 2030 onwards. This is a real challenge, as the use of recycled materials – with the exception of the single-use deposit process for PET beverage bottles – has so far been difficult and, above all, not scalable in terms of ensuring food safety. This is exactly where we come in with Sykell PREFILL, establishing a new standard for the reuse of food packaging, including monomaterial recycling at the end of the container's life. This enables all players within a reusable packaging system such as EINFACH MEHRWEG in Germany, to transfer the maximum amount of packaging from the downcycling spiral into a genuine closed-loop cycle with predictable effort," Mazzanti continues.
Suitable for everyday use, space-saving, and forward-looking
The modular PREFILL design concept with 500 and 1500 ml variants enables food manufacturers to pursue individual brand management. The packaging can be used across categories—from pre-packaged salads and heatable meals to snacks, dairy and substitute products, and much more. The reusable Ultrahigh Barrier and Re-Sealable technologies that there is no difference in taste, smell, or color compared to similar single-use packaging. With PREFILL, food manufacturers can become part of the scalable EINFACH MEHRWEG ecosystem in Germany and exceed the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Like all packaging in the EINFACH MEHRWEG system, PREFILL packaging can be returned by end consumers at over 6,000 return points in Germany and via existing reverse vending machines, making it suitable for everyday use. Last but not least, PREFILL takes into account the limited space available at return points in food retail, which is optimally utilized by this standardized, scalable solution.
Turnkey Solution for System Operators Across Europe
Sykell PREFILL is the world’s first reusable primary plastic packaging solution for pre-packaged foods for a wide application of categories. The containers are designed for full compatibility with reverse vending machines and reverse operations of other plastic-based containers in Germany as well as the management via its pool management platform CIRCULAR ERP by Sykell. Outside Germany, especially in places where there is no deposit return system, Sykell will work with those responsible for reusable systems to find a return solution. The software is designed to enable reuse to scale by tracing assets along system partners and thereby enabling automation of circular operational workflows — from inventory management to finance including deposit management. In a nutshell: Sykell, its EINFACH MEHRWEG ecosystem approach, and the CIRCULAR ERP software are here to scale reuse.
Sykell PREFILL will be presented to interested trade visitors at this year's BIOFACH trade fair in Nuremberg, starting on February 10.
EINFACH MEHRWEG return processes for takeaway food are already successfully established at retail partners such as REWE, Nahkauf, and HIT across Germany. The cleaning infrastructure for takeaway packaging and PREFILL is identical, which makes it easy to expand the system in Germany. Due to the numerous advantages of the system mentioned above, Sykell's medium-term goal is to establish EINFACH MEHRWEG as THE smart reusable ecosystem for plastic-based takeaway and food packaging in Germany. Outside Germany, Sykell acts as a system partner for existing reusable systems by upgrading their systems with its software and packaging solutions.
More info at www.sykell.com