Amcor has announced the launch of the Lift-Off Winter 2025/26 initiative. The programme is aimed at start-ups worldwide that are developing solutions for more sustainable packaging and builds on the company's previous funding rounds.
The focus of the new call is on research and development for flexible and paper-based packaging. Start-ups should submit approaches relating to home-compostable adhesives, high-performance compostable barriers for paper or nature-based barrier additives for films. According to the company, applications can be submitted until 12 December 2025. This will be followed by a screening phase until 19 December, before the final participants present their technologies virtually on 13 January 2026. Amcor is aimed at companies with a technology readiness level above five and offers the prospect of joint development options and potential investments of up to USD 500,000.
„As a global supplier of packaging, we are proud to advance the circular economy with innovative and more sustainable solutions,“ said Frank Lehmann, Vice President Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation at Amcor. „The Lift-Off initiative has achieved excellent results and we want to continue this success. With the launch of our new initiative, we are reinforcing Amcor's commitment to driving the circular economy and environmental responsibility by collaborating with the brightest minds in the start-up ecosystem.“
Focal points of the tender
According to the company, the focus is particularly on adhesives that are certified home compostable and should be compatible with paper and compostable substrates. Barrier coatings with high oxygen protection requirements for paper-based packaging are also in demand. Amcor is also looking for nature-based additives that improve oxygen, moisture and fat barriers in films and are also industrially scalable.
Procedure and objectives
With the Lift-Off programme, Amcor is pursuing the goal of identifying innovations from the start-up ecosystem at an early stage and integrating them into its development work. According to the company, previous editions have already led to collaborations in the areas of AI-supported waste analysis, reusable packaging and bio-based materials. The current round is intended to continue this focus and promote solutions that contribute to the circular economy.
Source: Amcor
