What Papkot does

Papkot is a French materials science startup founded in 2020 by Manuel Milliery and headquartered in Strasbourg with offices in Paris, Chicago, and Shenzhen. The company develops and commercializes proprietary ceramic paper coating technology designed to replace single-use plastic packaging. Its core platform, Papkot OS, is a modular chemistry system that converts silicon and cellulose into nanostructured materials to produce paper coatings delivering plastic-equivalent barrier properties without PFAS, acrylates, SBR, or other toxic compounds. The portfolio includes Vetrino Paper (a transparent biodegradable paper film for packaging windows) and Papkot PA (a mineral-based processing aid that reduces fiber costs by 20% in papermaking and molded fiber production).

Papkot sells directly to packaging manufacturers and FMCG/F&B brands through a B2B enterprise field sales motion, with quote-based pricing configured per ton of coating material via website inquiry forms. Technical specifications include 99.9% recyclability per European standards, COBB 30' values below 0.1 g/sqm for both water and grease barriers, and at least 50% improvement in moisture resistance versus uncoated paper. In February 2025, Fedrigoni Group acquired a minority stake through its corporate venture capital program, providing Papkot access to a global paper and packaging distribution network to accelerate international commercialization.

The company targets two primary customer segments: FMCG/F&B brands seeking plastic-free packaging alternatives, and packaging manufacturers (paper mills and converters) requiring coating technologies to produce plastic-free barrier papers. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise engagement, website lead capture, and the Fedrigoni distribution partnership. The business model is unit-priced custom coating material sales, with pricing determined through inquiry and not publicly disclosed. At 1-10 employees, Papkot remains an early-stage commercial entity, though backed by institutional EU support (EIT Food) and a strategic corporate investor.

Name

Papkot

Legal name

Papkot™

Website

https://papkot.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Papkot is a French materials science startup developing proprietary ceramic paper coatings that replace single-use plastic packaging for FMCG/F&B brands and packaging manufacturers. Its Papkot OS platform delivers fluorine-free, fully recyclable barrier properties using silicon and cellulose-based chemistry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Packaging Materials

NAICS

Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Converted Paper & Paperboard Prods (No Contaners/Boxes) (2670)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradable Coatings & Barrier Layers (paper/packaging barriers) (IMAEAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Compostable & Bio-Based Flexible Packaging (PLA, PHA, Cellulose Films) (IMALABAO), Paper-Based Packaging & Single-Use Paper Products (Paper Bags, Wraps, Cartons) (CRADALAL)

Keywords

• Paper coatings
• Biodegradable packaging
• Sustainable packaging
• Plastic-free coatings
• Paper barrier coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Strasbourg

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Coating Materials Sales: Papkot sells its proprietary ceramic coating formulations to packaging manufacturers and brands. The coatings are applied using standard industrial coating methods (rotogravure, flexography, rod coating, etc.). Revenue is generated through direct sales of coating materials, with quantities and specifications customized per customer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Papkot develops and sells proprietary ceramic paper coating technology designed to replace single-use plastic packaging with treated paper. Its modular chemistry platform transforms paper substrates into functional, recyclable, plastic-free packaging materials using silicon- and cellulose-based formulations.

Product overview

Papkot offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on Papkot OS, its core modular paper coating technology that enables paper to achieve the same properties as plastic (water resistance, oil/grease barriers, fire resistance) without any plastic or toxic chemicals. The portfolio includes Vetrino Paper, a transparent biodegradable paper film for packaging windows, and Papkot PA, a mineral-based processing aid that reduces fiber costs by 20% and improves papermaking/molded fiber production efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vetrino™ Paper: A transparent film made of pure paper that is biodegradable, recyclable, and plastic-free with water resistant properties.
• Papkot PA (Processing Aids)
• Papkot OS

Products and services

• Papkot OS
• Vetrino Paper
• Papkot PA Processing aids used in the papermaking process to support the application of Papkot's ceramic coatings on paper substrates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% recyclability rate according to European standards
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Notpla: London-based Notpla develops bio-based, plastic-free packaging alternatives (seaweed coatings, films, sachets) targeting single-use FMCG and food-service applications. It is the most direct comparison to Papkot as a venture-backed, mission-driven bio-packaging challenger competing for the same FMCG sustainability RFPs.

Broad incumbents

• Solenis: Solenis is a global specialty chemicals leader supplying water treatment, process, and functional chemistries to paper mills and packaging converters, including barrier and surface coatings. It represents the entrenched incumbent Papkot must displace at paper-mill accounts.
• Mondi: Mondi is a major integrated paper and packaging group producing sustainable barrier papers and recyclable packaging formats for FMCG. It is both a potential customer (coating buyer) and a competitor developing in-house plastic-replacement solutions.
• Sappi: Sappi is a global producer of coated and specialty papers, including barrier and packaging grades. It overlaps with Papkot's barrier-coated paper opportunity as both a potential channel partner and competing technology developer.
• Ahlstrom:
• Kemira: Kemira is a leading specialty chemical supplier to the pulp and paper industry, offering sizing, strength, barrier, and coating chemistries. It competes with Papkot directly in paper barrier and surface chemistry at large pulp-and-paper customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/papkot
• Xx.com/papkot_impact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

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 Papkot