What Bioform does

Bioform Technologies is a Vancouver-based materials science company developing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics using patented pulp-based hydrogel technology. The company's core product is multilayered pulp fiber reinforced hydrogels manufactured via a low-energy process that repurposes existing pulp manufacturing equipment, producing paper-recyclable thermoforming films that function as drop-in substitutes for conventional plastic films in rigid packaging production. Bioform sells its roll-stock films through direct B2B enterprise sales to packaging manufacturers (primary segment) and consumer packaged goods brands (secondary segment), targeting operators of thermoforming and heat-sealing infrastructure that require sustainable alternatives without major equipment modifications.

The technology platform combines a patented manufacturing process with a proprietary material architecture that enables film production at commercial speeds. Bioform holds a granted patent on the hydrogel manufacturing process and has assembled a strategic partner ecosystem spanning raw material supply (Suzano, the world's largest market pulp producer), tooling (Marbach, the leading die-cutting and thermoforming tool manufacturer), and academic R&D (University of British Columbia). This positioning allows Bioform to claim performance parity with conventional plastics in processing speed and cost while delivering a climate-positive, paper-recyclable end product.

Bioform is an early-stage private company that received its first significant institutional capital in April 2024 through a US$5 million strategic investment from Suzano Ventures, intended to pilot manufacturing, accelerate production, reduce costs, and expand capabilities. Revenue figures are not disclosed and the company is not yet at commercial scale; pricing is not public and customer engagement occurs via direct inquiry. The firm employs between 11 and 50 people and is led by Founder & CEO Jordan MacKenzie alongside co-founder Mark Martinez, Chairman Gabe Kalmar, and board members Rob Mackenzie and Rune Gjessing.

Name

Bioform

Legal name

Bioform Technologies

Website

https://bioformtech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bioform Technologies is a Vancouver-based materials company that develops patented pulp-based hydrogel films as drop-in, paper-recyclable substitutes for single-use plastics, selling directly to packaging manufacturers and CPG brands via B2B enterprise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Packaging Materials

NAICS

Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)

SIC

Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670)

akta.pro primary industry

Cellulose-Based Biodegradable Materials (cellulose films, fibers, derivatives) (IMAEAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Compostable & Bio-based Flexible Films and Sheet (extrusion/cast/blown) (IMANANAC), Compostable & Bio-based Rigid Packaging (injection/blow/thermoform) (IMANANAD)

Keywords

• Sustainable packaging materials
• Bio-based plastic alternatives
• Pulp fiber hydrogels
• Thermoforming films
• Paper-recyclable films

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bio-based Film Materials Sales: Bioform generates revenue by selling its paper-recyclable thermoforming films to packaging manufacturers and brands. The materials serve as direct substitutes for conventional plastic films in rigid packaging production.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Bioform develops and manufactures multilayered pulp fiber reinforced hydrogel films that serve as sustainable, paper-recyclable alternatives to single-use plastic films used in rigid packaging. The films are produced using a patented low-energy manufacturing process at commercial speeds and are supplied as roll-stock compatible with conventional thermoforming and heat-sealing equipment, enabling packaging manufacturers and CPG brands to substitute plastic films with minimal modifications to existing infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bioform Hydrogel Films Multilayered pulp fiber reinforced hydrogels manufactured using a patented low-energy process at commercial speeds, serving as a plastic alternative made from wood pulp for packaging manufacturers and CPG brands.
• Bioform Roll-Stock Paper-recyclable thermoforming films supplied as roll-stock designed for producing rigid packaging. The product substitutes existing plastic films to decarbonize thermoforming and heat-sealing infrastructure with minimal modifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Decarbonizes thermoforming and heat-sealing infrastructure with minimal modifications

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SuzanocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuzano is the world's largest market pulp producer and a key partner providing strategic alignment and market access for Bioform's bio-based plastic alternatives.
• MarbachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarbach is the world's leading manufacturer of die-cutting and thermoforming tools. They partner with Bioform to provide manufacturing tooling capabilities for producing thermoforming packaging.
• UBC (University of British Columbia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBC serves as the academic foundation for Bioform's advanced technology, providing research and development support and advanced technology expertise.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tipa: Tipa develops compostable, bio-based flexible films and laminates for packaging applications as substitutes for conventional plastics. It is a direct competitor in the same end-use applications and customer base (packaging manufacturers and CPG brands) as Bioform.
• Sappi: Sappi is a global pulp and paper company developing bio-based, fiber-based packaging materials including films and barrier coatings as substitutes for plastic packaging. It uses a similar wood-pulp input and sells into comparable packaging converter and CPG channels.
• Notpla: Notpla develops seaweed- and plant-based packaging films and coatings as alternatives to single-use plastics for food packaging and consumer goods. It is a direct competitor targeting the same drop-in replacement positioning in flexible packaging.
• Danimer Scientific: Danimer Scientific produces PHA-based bioplastic resins used in compostable films and rigid packaging for CPG and food-service applications. It is a direct competitor in bio-based packaging films for the same end-use applications as Bioform.
• TotalEnergies Corbion: TotalEnergies Corbion produces PLA bioplastics for compostable packaging films and rigid packaging, supplying packaging converters globally. It is a direct competitor for bio-based, drop-in film substitutes for single-use plastics.
• Footprint: Footprint produces bio-based and compostable fiber-based packaging products replacing single-use plastics for food service and consumer goods. It competes in the same end-markets and uses similar plant-based inputs for thermoformed and molded packaging.

Broad incumbents

• NatureWorks: NatureWorks is the world's largest producer of PLA bioplastic, supplying bio-based resins used in compostable packaging films and rigid packaging. It competes for the same CPG and converter customers and end-uses as Bioform, but at significantly larger scale.
• Stora Enso: Stora Enso is a major pulp and paper producer developing bio-based packaging materials including molded fiber and bio-barrier coatings as substitutes for plastics. It overlaps with Bioform on input source (wood pulp) and end-markets but operates at far larger scale.
• Novamont: Novamont is a leading producer of bio-based and compostable materials including Mater-Bi resins used in flexible films and packaging applications. It competes for the same sustainable packaging demand as Bioform with a broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Loliware: Loliware develops seaweed-based bioplastic materials for single-use packaging and consumer goods applications. It targets the same single-use plastics replacement market as Bioform but with a different feedstock focus and earlier commercial stage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bioform