Ecopol
Ecopol is an Italian specialty manufacturer of water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH films, selling proprietary Hydrolene® delivery systems under multi-year contracts to global consumer goods brands for unit-dose detergents, personal care, and industrial packaging.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCapannori, Italy
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ecopol does
Ecopol S.p.A. is a privately-held Italian specialty manufacturer of water-soluble and biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films, founded in 2009 in Lucca, Italy. The company designs, produces and sells proprietary PVOH films marketed under the Hydrolene® brand, deployed as unit-dose and specialty delivery systems across household detergents (its primary segment, including dishwasher and laundry pods), personal care and cosmetics, solid surface and engineered stone release agents, concrete reinforcement fibers, agrochemicals, water transfer printing, and water treatment applications. Ecopol operates the world's largest installed base of PVOH blown film capacity at its Italian campus in Chiesina Uzzanese (Tuscany) and the world's largest PVOH solution cast film line, complemented by a North American production facility in Griffin, Georgia (Ecopol America, Inc., inaugurated October 2023) and two R&D Centers of Excellence in Italy and Tampa, Florida (the latter via the December 2023 strategic investment in JRF Technology).
The company's revenue model is B2B film sales to global consumer packaged goods manufacturers under multi-year, unit-priced (kg/roll) supply contracts, supplemented by custom R&D and innovation services through JRF Technology. Pricing is contract-driven and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with full in-house technical service and R&D partnership, distributed directly from the Italian headquarters and the US production subsidiary. Headcount reached 167 globally (29 in the US) by October 2023, up from 10 employees at founding. Ecopol holds TÜV AUSTRIA OK biodegradable WATER and OK compost INDUSTRIAL certifications, RSPO Mass Balance, ISO 9001/14001/45001, EcoVadis recognition, and inclusion of PVOH on the U.S. EPA Safer Chemical Ingredient List (2023). Since September 2023, Ecopol has been majority-owned by SK Capital Partners (with Tikehau Capital as a continuing minority shareholder), and CEO Mauro Carbone retains a significant stake as the largest individual shareholder.
Ecopol firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ecopol
- Legal name
- Ecopol S.p.A.
- Website
- https://ecopol.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ecopol is an Italian specialty manufacturer of water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH films, selling proprietary Hydrolene® delivery systems under multi-year contracts to global consumer goods brands for unit-dose detergents, personal care, and industrial packaging.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ecopol industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biodegradable Packaging Films
- NAICS
- Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)
- SIC
- Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polyolefin Films (PE/PP: Cast, Blown, BOPP) (IMALABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water-Soluble & Edible Packaging (PVOH-based, Edible Films) (IMALAMAI), Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT) (IMANANAA)
Keywords
Where Ecopol is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Capannori
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Ecopol business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- B2B film sales to consumer goods manufacturers: Primary revenue stream: sales of water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH films and delivery systems (blown and cast) to leading global consumer packaged goods brands for unit-dose household detergents, personal care, and other applications. Pricing is unit-based and contract-driven rather than publicly disclosed.
- Custom R&D and innovation services: Through JRF Technology (acquired as US R&D Center of Excellence), Ecopol provides polymer formulation, product development and technology transfer services for water-soluble polymer and edible film technology, including for multinational CPGs and startups.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom volume/contract pricing for B2B film supply |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels12 records
Ecopol product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ecopol manufactures proprietary water-soluble and biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films under the Hydrolene® brand, supplied as unit-dose and specialty delivery systems to global consumer packaged goods manufacturers. The films are produced using both blown-film extrusion and solution cast-film processes at purpose-built plants in Italy (Chiesina Uzzanese) and the USA (Griffin, GA), with applications spanning household detergents, personal care, solid surface release agents, concrete reinforcement fibers, agrochemicals, water transfer printing, and water treatment chemicals.
Product overview
Ecopol offers a single integrated product platform built around proprietary water-soluble and biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films marketed under the Hydrolene® trade name, deployed as unit-dose and specialty delivery systems. The core film technology (including the flagship Hydrolene® LTF/TB and Hydrolene® LTF/LJ grades, plus the company's blown film for liquid pods) is configured into a family of application-specific delivery systems serving household detergents (dishwashing and laundry unit-dose pouches and tablets), personal care and cosmetics, solid surface and engineered stone release agents, concrete reinforcement fibers, agrochemicals, water-transfer printing, and water treatment / pool chemicals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hydrolene®: Ecopol's branded PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) water-soluble and biodegradable film product line, including certified variants such as Hydrolene® LTF/TB and Hydrolene® LTF/LJ.
Products and services
- Hydrolene® LTF/TB Water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH-based film certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as "OK biodegradable WATER"; designed to biodegrade in natural freshwater environments for unit-dose detergent and cleaning applications.
- Hydrolene® LTF/LJ Water-soluble PVOH-based film that holds both TÜV AUSTRIA "OK biodegradable WATER" certification and "OK compost INDUSTRIAL" certification (for thicknesses ≤ 39 µm), for unit-dose applications requiring biodegradation in natural freshwater or industrial composting.
- Water-Soluble PVOH Films for Household Detergents Water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH films used as delivery systems for unit-dose automatic dishwashing and laundry detergents (pouches and tablets); compatible with high-speed flow-pack, VFFS, multi-chamber unit-dose, and thermoforming production processes.
- Water-Soluble Films for Personal Care & Cosmetics Safe, non-toxic, biodegradable water-soluble delivery systems for unit-dose personal care products such as liquid, powder, and gel soaps, cosmetics, hand and body soaps, and balsams; enable more concentrated formulations with reduced transport emissions.
- Water-Soluble Films for Solid Surface & Engineered Stone PVOH films designed as release agents for the production of solid surface materials, engineered stone countertops, walls, and interior flooring; provide seamless release from molds after curing to reduce labor and waste.
- Water-Soluble Films for Concrete Reinforcement Fibers Water-soluble and biodegradable PVOH film engineered to wrap reinforcement fibers for concrete; provides high elongation, adhesion, and controlled dosing to improve crack resistance, durability, and reduce construction times.
- Blown Film for Liquid Pods First blown-extrusion PVOH film developed for liquid unit-dose pods; combines characteristics of cast film with the competitive advantage of blown extrusion and supports high bio-based content.
- Water-Soluble Films for Agrochemicals, Water Transfer Printing, and Water Treatment Water-soluble PVOH films also offered for packaging agrochemical active ingredients (solid, liquid, gel), for water-transfer printing of decorative finishes on 3D objects, and for safe dosing of water treatment and pool chemicals without direct user contact.
- JRF Technology Innovation & R&D Services Custom polymer formulation, product development, and technology transfer services for water-soluble polymer and edible film technology, delivered from a GMP laboratory in Tampa, FL for multinational CPGs and startups.
Quantifiable outcome
- 863 tons of CO2 saved in 2020 through 100% green energy usage
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ecopol
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ecopol technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Ecopol partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.
- JRF Technology LLCflagshipEcopol completed a strategic investment in Tampa, FL-based JRF Technology, founded in 2007 by James Rossman and Richard Fielder. JRF becomes Ecopol's US R&D Center of Excellence, complementing its Italian R&D capabilities and accelerating development of next-generation water-soluble polymer and edible film technologies. Combined leadership retains President James Rossman and Managing Director Richard Fielder.
- University of Pisa — Master in Sustainable Development and Climate ChangeminorEcopol colleague Silvia Michelucci participated as a speaker at the University of Pisa Master's program, sharing Ecopol's sustainable growth story with future sustainability professionals focused on UN 2030 Agenda SDGs.
- Latham & Watkins LLPminorLegal counsel to SK Capital in connection with the strategic investment in Ecopol (closed September 2023).
- Legance and Alpeggiani Studio Legale AssociatominorLegal counsel to Ecopol in connection with the SK Capital majority investment (closed September 2023).
- STS DeloitteminorTax advisor to Ecopol in connection with the SK Capital majority investment (closed September 2023).
- Scuderia Ferrari (F1 and Ferrari Hypercar)flagshipMulti-year Official Partner of Scuderia Ferrari (F1) and Ferrari Hypercar (endurance). Partnership based on shared commitment to high performance, Italian excellence and CO2 reduction. Drives visibility for Ecopol as a global Italian sustainability brand. Includes attendance at the Scuderia Ferrari 2023 Sustainability Workshop with 60+ partners.
- UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)minorEcopol publicly supports UNHCR on World Refugee Day and through humanitarian initiatives (including Ukraine emergency support via Order of Malta in 2022). Drives ESG/social-impact brand reputation.
- Ellen MacArthur FoundationcoreEcopol joined the Ellen MacArthur Community in September 2021 to support its transition to a circular-economy enterprise. Membership provides access to a platform for sharing insights, participating in events, and learning from other circular-economy professionals.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ecopol competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America: Produces PVOH resins and markets Advasol water-soluble films for unit-dose applications — the most direct head-to-head competitor to Ecopol's Hydrolene films, with vertical integration into resin supply.
- Kuraray (MonoSol): Acquired MonoSol in 2019 to form the global #1 in unit-dose PVOH films; competes directly with Ecopol across laundry and dishwashing pods with greater scale and resin integration.
- Aicello Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of Solublon water-soluble PVOH films for unit-dose detergents, agrochemicals and industrial applications; competes with Ecopol in the same global niche.
- Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry (Nippon Gohsei): Produces Soarnol and other PVOH/EVOH specialty films; a long-standing competitor in water-soluble and barrier film categories serving similar CPG customers.
- Chang Chun Group: Taiwan-based producer of PVOH resins and films used in unit-dose and industrial water-soluble applications; competes with Ecopol on price-sensitive global supply contracts.
- Arrow Greentech: Indian manufacturer of water-soluble PVOH films for detergent, agrochemical and specialty packaging; an emerging competitor targeting similar unit-dose applications globally.
Emerging players
- Cortec Corporation: US specialty films producer with overlap in water-soluble and biodegradable film technologies for industrial and packaging applications; partial competitor in adjacent niches.
- Notpla: UK-based sustainable packaging startup using seaweed-based and other bio-based water-soluble materials; competes for CPG sustainability-driven packaging spend with an alternative technology platform.
- Lactips: French producer of casein-based water-soluble and biodegradable films for detergents, agrochemicals and packaging; emerging alternative to PVOH films in similar unit-dose use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Mitsui Chemicals: Large Japanese chemical conglomerate with PVOH and specialty film capabilities serving packaging, industrial and consumer markets; broad incumbent with overlapping but not specialized offerings versus Ecopol's unit-dose focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ecopol social profiles
Digital presenceEcopol compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Ecopol financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ecopol leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Ecopol subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Ecopol funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ecopol M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ecopol
What does Ecopol do?
Ecopol manufactures proprietary water-soluble and biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films under the Hydrolene® brand, supplied as unit-dose and specialty delivery systems to global consumer packaged goods manufacturers. The films are produced using both blown-film extrusion and solution cast-film processes at purpose-built plants in Italy (Chiesina Uzzanese) and the USA (Griffin, GA), with applications spanning household detergents, personal care, solid surface release agents, concrete reinforcement fibers, agrochemicals, water transfer printing, and water treatment chemicals.
Is Ecopol a public or private company?
Ecopol is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Ecopol founded?
Ecopol was founded in 2009. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ecopol based?
Ecopol is headquartered in Capannori, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Ecopol make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. B2B film sales to consumer goods manufacturers are the primary driver. The others are custom R&D and innovation services.
Who are Ecopol's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America, Kuraray (MonoSol), Aicello Corporation, Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry (Nippon Gohsei), Chang Chun Group and Arrow Greentech. Emerging players are Cortec Corporation, Notpla and Lactips. Mitsui Chemicals is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Ecopol have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ecopol.
What industry is Ecopol in?
Ecopol's product category is Biodegradable Packaging Films. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALABAA, Polyolefin Films (PE/PP: Cast, Blown, BOPP), with a secondary code of IMALAMAI, Water-Soluble & Edible Packaging (PVOH-based, Edible Films). Its NAICS code is 326112 and its SIC code is 3081.