What Nupik International does

Nupik International is a Spanish manufacturer of sustainable food packaging and tableware, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Polinyà, Barcelona. Operating under the commercial name 'deSter x nupik' in partnership with deSter (a gategroup subsidiary), the company produces paper cups, plates, cutlery, food containers, napkins, straws, and stirrers at owned production facilities in Spain and Belgium. Its product portfolio is organized around three material pillars — compostable (PLA plant-based), recyclable, and reusable (PP) — with branded sub-collections including REPLAY Reusable Cups, WAVE Clamshell Takeaway, REVOLVE Food Bowls, KAMI Paper Cutlery, and an Eco-Smart Collection umbrella. Distribution is handled through the shop.dester.com B2B e-commerce storefront supporting nine European languages, complemented by tailored custom-branding services for enterprise food service clients.

The company's primary customer segment is the European food service industry — restaurants, caterers, event organizers, hotels, and food service operators — with indirect reach into airline catering via its deSter/gategroup connection. Revenue is generated through wholesale unit pricing with volume discounts on multi-unit case packs (e.g., €109.62 per 1,250-unit box of PLA cups), with a pay-as-you-go billing cadence and dedicated team support for large orders. The technology differentiator rests on a dedicated in-house team of designers and engineers iterating on materials, designs, and reusable product engineering, anchored by two own-and-operated manufacturing sites that the company leverages to control costs, lead times, and carbon footprint.

Strategic positioning is built on sustainability credentials rather than technology platform advantages: the company achieved EcoVadis Platinum status (highest ESG tier) in 2025 and holds PEFC certification for paper sourcing, factors expected to compound in value as EU single-use plastics regulation tightens. The firm is privately held, raises growth capital (notably ~$16.4M in April 2022), and operates with no disclosed headcount beyond a 251–500 employee range. No AI/ML, API integrations, or digital platform moat beyond its multilingual B2B storefront are evident in the input data.

Name

Nupik International

Legal name

Nupik (deSter x nupik)

Website

https://nupik.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Nupik International, founded in 1986 in Barcelona, manufactures sustainable food packaging and tableware — cups, plates, cutlery, containers, and napkins — operating as 'deSter x nupik' with owned production in Spain and Belgium and a multilingual B2B e-commerce storefront serving the European food service industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Food Packaging and Tableware

SIC

Papers & Allied Products (2600), Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Mono-Material & Recyclability-Designed Packaging (Design-for-Recycling, Barrier Alternatives) (IMALAMAD), Napkins, Tableware & Foodservice Disposables (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRADALAD)

Keywords

• Sustainable food packaging
• Paper cups manufacturer
• Compostable tableware
• Reusable food containers
• Food service supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sustainable Food Packaging Products: Sale of sustainable food packaging and tableware products including cups, plates, cutlery, food containers, and napkins. Products available in compostable, recyclable, and reusable materials. Revenue generated through B2B e-commerce with volume-based pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nupik International manufactures and sells sustainable food packaging and tableware — including paper cups, PLA compostable cups, reusable cups, plates, cutlery, food containers, napkins, and straws — for the European food service, catering, hospitality, and events industries. Operating commercially as "deSter x nupik" through its own e-commerce storefront, the company offers branded product lines (REPLAY, REVOLVE, WAVE, KAMI) across compostable, recyclable, and reusable material categories, with custom branding services for high-volume B2B buyers.

Product overview

deSter x nupik is a sustainable food packaging and tableware brand combining two product lines—deSter (owned by gategroup, a global airline catering and hospitality group) and Nupik International—under a unified e-commerce platform. The company operates its own production facilities in Spain and Belgium, offering an integrated portfolio organized around three material sustainability pillars: Compostable products (PLA cups, plates, cutlery, and containers made from plant-based materials), Recyclable products (paper cups, plastic cups, cutlery, and containers designed for recycling streams), and Reusable products (PP bowls, cups, plates, and cutlery engineered for repeated use). Key branded collections include REPLAY Reusable Cups, REVOLVE Food Bowls, WAVE Clamshell Takeaway, and KAMI Paper Cutlery. The product line spans cups, plates, cutlery, food packaging containers, napkins, straws, stirrers, and party/festive tableware. The company also provides tailored branding and customisation services alongside its standard catalogue, targeting airlines, hospitality venues, event organisers, and food service operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REPLAY Reusable Cups: Eco-friendly reusable drinking cups collection
• WAVE Clamshell Collection
• REVOLVE Food Bowls
• KAMI Paper Cutlery
• Eco-Smart Collection

Products and services

• deSter x nupik Eco-Smart Collection A suite of eco-friendly food packaging and tableware products organized by material sustainability type — compostable, recyclable, and reusable — serving the food service and hospitality industries.
• REPLAY Reusable Cups Reusable drinking cups designed for repeated use at events, catering, and food service, reducing waste compared to disposable alternatives.
• REVOLVE Food Bowls Reusable food bowls available in multiple sizes (700ml and 1150ml) made from PP plastic, offered in a range of colors including grey and orange, designed for repeated use in food service settings.
• WAVE Clamshell Takeaway Reusable clamshell-style takeaway containers for food packaging, providing a sustainable alternative to disposable containers for takeout and delivery.
• KAMI Paper Cutlery Paper-based cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, and stirrers) offering a compostable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposable plastic cutlery.
• Paper Cups Paper beverage cups available in white, kraft, and coloured finishes, including coffee design variants, vending cups, and lids, designed for hot and cold beverages.
• Compostable PLA Cups Plant-based compostable cups suitable for cold beverages, offering a clear, sturdy, and environmentally responsible solution.
• Reusable Coffee Cups Reusable coffee cups designed for repeated use, combining functionality with environmental responsibility for coffee service applications.
• Reusable Plates Durable, stylish, and eco-conscious reusable plates designed for repeated use at events, restaurants, or home settings, reducing waste while maintaining quality.
• Compostable Plates Eco-friendly compostable plates suitable for serving hot or cold foods, designed for events, catering, and everyday use.
• Compostable Cutlery Compostable forks, knives, spoons, and stirrers made from eco-friendly materials, combining durability, hygiene, and comfort for waste-free food service.
• Recyclable Cutlery Recyclable cutlery designed to reduce waste while delivering reliable performance for takeaways, events, and everyday use.
• Reusable Cutlery Durable and eco-friendly reusable cutlery designed for repeated use in everyday meals, catering, and professional food service.
• Compostable Containers Eco-friendly compostable food containers designed for takeout, catering, and everyday use, preserving freshness and ensuring hygiene.
• Recyclable Containers Sturdy, leak-resistant recyclable containers ideal for food storage and takeaway, suitable for both commercial and personal use.
• Reusable Containers Reusable food bowls, plates, and cutlery made from durable materials designed to be reused multiple times, reducing reliance on disposable products.
• Napkins Napkin products including Double Point Napkins (soft, strong, and absorbent), Elegance Spunlace Napkins (elegant and sophisticated), and Airlaid Napkins (textile-like feel for fine dining and upscale events).
• Straws & Stirrers Straws and stirrers available in various materials, sizes, and styles designed to suit all types of beverages and occasions.
• Party Line / Festive Range Festive-themed tableware and party products for celebrations and special occasions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced environmental impact through local composting options
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• deStercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerdeSter is a strategic partner in this joint venture operating as 'deSter x nupik'. The collaboration combines Nupik's manufacturing capabilities in Spain and Belgium with deSter to deliver sustainable food packaging and tableware solutions under the shared value proposition of 'Creating Sustainable Food Experiences'.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Huhtamaki: Global food packaging giant with a significant foodservice segment offering paper cups, plates, and sustainable tableware. Directly comparable as a multinational foodservice packaging manufacturer with a sustainability-led product portfolio.
• Pactiv Evergreen: Large North American foodservice packaging manufacturer producing cups, containers, and tableware for restaurants and foodservice operators. Comparable as a high-volume foodservice disposables manufacturer with growing sustainable product lines.
• Dart Container Corporation:

Direct peers

• BioPak: Australia-headquartered sustainable foodservice packaging company with strong European presence, specializing in compostable and bioplastic cups, containers, and cutlery. Direct competitor in the eco-friendly foodservice disposables category.
• Vegware: UK-based specialist manufacturer of compostable foodservice packaging including cups, cutlery, and containers made from plant-based materials. Closest direct competitor to Nupik's compostable product line, targeting the same European foodservice customers.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nupik
• Instagraminstagram.com/desterxnupik

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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 Nupik International