What Relevo does

Relevo GmbH, headquartered in Munich and founded in 2020 by three entrepreneurs, operates a deposit-free, fully digital reusable packaging platform for the gastronomy sector. The company supplies and manages a pool of reusable containers (cups, bowls, plates, specialty items for sushi/pizza/burger) and runs a QR-code-based lending and return system accessible via iOS/Android apps and web browser, supported by 24/7 automated return stations and a partner dashboard for real-time inventory, usage analytics, and billing. Relevo was majority-acquired by Sweden's Duni Group (Duni AB) in 2024, integrating its digital pool system with Duni's established hospitality packaging supply chain across Europe.

Relevo serves a diverse customer base spanning 2,500–3,000+ gastronomy businesses in Germany, including 22 student unions covering 150+ university canteens, 100+ hospital locations, restaurant chains such as Nordsee (220+ locations) and The Ash, corporate canteens at Bosch, Daimler, and Bayer, event organizers, and city/market operators (notably the Viktualienmarkt hub in Munich). Its go-to-market blends a product-led self-service onboarding flow via the website and app, enterprise field sales for hospital, chain, and corporate accounts, and dedicated event-driven solutions with branded tableware, return stations, and logistics.

Revenue is generated through five streams: usage-based fees on the Relevo-managed container pool (core recurring revenue), one-time sales of reusable tableware with custom branding, event rentals with fixed-duration pricing, professional washing/cleaning logistics delivered via a European partner network, and custom printing/brand activation services. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with deposit-free lending to end consumers, €10 bowl / €5 cup late-return climate fees, and €1-per-7-day extensions. With 260,000+ active end-users, 4+ million single-use items saved, and operations across 700+ German cities, Relevo's model is structurally levered to EU PPWR and German mandatory reusable-offering regulations.

Name

Relevo

Legal name

Relevo GmbH

Website

https://relevo.app

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Relevo GmbH operates a deposit-free, QR-code-based reusable packaging pool system for restaurants, canteens, hospitals, and events in Germany, supplemented by washing logistics and vending hardware, with 2,500+ gastronomy customers and 260,000+ end-users across 700+ cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reusable Packaging Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Vending Machine Operators (445132)

SIC

Metal Shipping Barrels, Drums, Kegs & Pails (3412), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ), Reusable & Refill Packaging Systems (Returnable Packaging, Refill-at-Home/In-Store) (IMALAMAE)

Keywords

• Reusable packaging systems
• Deposit-free tableware
• Pool system management
• Circular packaging solutions
• QR-code inventory tracking

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pool System (Rental/Management): Relevo provides and manages a pool of reusable containers for gastronomy partners. Partners pay a usage fee for containers in circulation, with Relevo handling inventory management, tracking, and restocking. The system is deposit-free and digitally managed.
2. Tableware Sales: Relevo sells reusable containers (SAN plastic, PP plastic, glass, specialty items for sushi/burger/pizza) directly to gastronomy businesses. Items can be purchased with custom branding. Minimum order quantities apply (typically 20 units).
3. Tableware Rental for Events: Flexible rental of reusable tableware for events and festivals without long-term commitment. Pricing is transparent and fixed. Includes delivery, pickup, and optional professional cleaning through Relevo's partner network.
4. Professional Cleaning Logistics: Relevo offers professional washing and hygiene-compliant reprocessing of reusable containers through its European-wide partner network, serving events, canteens, and caterers. The service includes pickup, industrial washing, repackaging, and redelivery.
5. Custom Printing/Branding: Relevo offers custom logo printing on reusable containers using professional methods (In-Mould Labelling, laser engraving, digital direct printing) across its portfolio of cups, bowls, boxes, and specialty items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Relevo provides a deposit-free, digitally managed reusable packaging pool system for the gastronomy sector, supplying reusable cups, bowls, glasses, and specialty containers to restaurants, canteens, hospitals, event organizers, and municipal operators. End consumers borrow containers via QR code through the Relevo mobile app and return them at partner locations or 24/7 automated return stations, while Relevo handles inventory tracking, restocking, washing logistics, and regulatory compliance with EU and German packaging rules.

Product overview

Relevo is a comprehensive reusable packaging platform operated by Relevo GmbH (a majority-owned subsidiary of Duni Group) that combines physical reusable containers (cups, bowls, plates, specialty containers) with a digital ecosystem for lending, tracking, and inventory management. The portfolio consists of a core Poolsystem (a deposit-free, QR-code-based lending system where Relevo supplies and manages the container pool) supplemented by modular add-ons: container purchase and rental options, automated vending machines (Automaten) for 24/7 dispensing and return, a professional washing logistics service (Spülservice), custom branding printing (Geschirr Bedrucken), expert consulting, and an Event Organizer Platform. For large-scale deployments, the Hub Solution integrates pooling, vending, washing, and a digital platform into a single closed-loop system for markets, airports, and business parks. End customers interact via iOS and Android apps for QR-code-based borrowing and returns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Poolsystem A turnkey, digital, deposit-free reusable container pool system for gastronomy partners. Relevo supplies and manages the inventory of reusable cups, bowls, glasses, and specialty containers; customers borrow via QR code scanning; Relevo handles restocking, logistics, and partner reporting.
• Mehrweggeschirr Kaufen (Tableware Purchase) One-time purchase of Relevo's reusable containers (SAN plastic bowls and cups, PP plastic items, glass, and specialty items such as pizza boxes, burger boxes, and sushi boxes). Items are dishwasher and microwave safe, BPA-free, and can be customized with company branding, with minimum order quantities of approximately 20 units per item.
• Mehrweggeschirr Mieten (Tableware Rental for Events) Flexible rental of reusable tableware for events and festivals with transparent fixed pricing. The rental portfolio includes cups (300–500 ml), wine glasses, plates, bowls, snack boxes, and cutlery. Includes delivery, pickup, and optional professional cleaning, suitable for 1-day events to multi-week deployments.
• Hub Solution Comprehensive closed-loop infrastructure solution for large-scale projects such as markets, business parks, airports, and urban food environments. Combines container pooling, return vending machines, washing logistics, and a digital platform; Relevo manages the entire cycle digitally while operators pay per container used.
• Automaten (Vending Solutions) 24/7 automated vending solutions including container dispensers for coffee machines, full-service food pickup and return machines, and standalone return stations. Machines support digital identification via QR codes, do not require staff, and can be customized with branding.
• Spülservice (Washing/Cleaning Service) Professional washing and hygiene-compliant reprocessing of reusable containers through a European-wide partner network. Relevo arranges pickup from events, festivals, and workplace cafeterias, performs industrial washing, and handles return delivery; damaged items are sorted out and documented.
• Geschirr Bedrucken (Custom Printing/Branding) Custom logo printing on reusable containers using professional methods including In-Mould Labelling, laser engraving, and digital direct printing. Containers are Blue Angel certified and hold up to 1,000 wash cycles; available across cups, bowls, boxes, and specialty items with single or multi-color options.
• Konzeption & Beratung (Consulting) Expert consulting for designing and implementing reusable systems. Offerings include free initial consultations, workshops for integrated system establishment, and comprehensive 'Rundum-Sorglos' packages covering concept, launch, and KPI monitoring.
• Relevo App (iOS/Android) Mobile applications for iOS and Android that enable end customers to borrow Relevo reusable containers via QR code scanning, extend rental periods, track active loans, and return containers at partner locations. Includes Friend-Scan and Friend-Return features allowing lending on behalf of others.
• Event Organizer Platform Digital management platform for event organizers covering pricing and commission management, webshop for food trucks, fulfillment tools for operations, inventory tracking, and automated restocking. Enables data-driven coordination of reusable containers across multiple food and beverage vendors at events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4 million single-use packaging items saved to date
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Duni Group (Duni AB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuni Group, a market leader in sustainable food packaging and tableware for the hospitality industry, acquired a majority stake in Relevo GmbH. The goal is to strengthen Duni's food packaging business and offer customers sustainable solutions based on circular economy principles across all packaging needs.
• RECUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRECUP is a key partner in the ReMuc circular takeaway project at Munich's Viktualienmarkt. RECUP containers are integrated into the Relevo digital platform, allowing shared use of the return infrastructure across both systems.
• Lieferando (Just Eat Takeaway)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntegration with Lieferando allows consumers to order food in Relevo reusable containers directly through the Lieferando app. Customers provide their Relevo User ID in the order comments to link the delivery to their Relevo account.
• WoltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntegration with Wolt food delivery platform enables ordering food in Relevo reusable containers through the Wolt app.
• Uber EatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIntegration with Uber Eats allows consumers to receive food deliveries in Relevo reusable containers through the Uber Eats platform.
• European Cleaning Partner NetworkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRelevo uses a Europe-wide network of local cleaning partners for professional washing and hygiene-compliant reprocessing of reusable containers. This enables consistent service quality across deployment locations without requiring Relevo to own washing facilities.
• OrnaminminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOrnamin manufactures Relevo's SAN plastic reusable containers (Classic line) in Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Ornamin is a specialist in high-quality reusable food-grade plastic containers.
• ArcorocminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerArcoroc supplies tempered glass containers for the Relevo Glass product line. Arcoroc glass is up to 5x more resistant than regular glass and suitable for food service use.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• RECUP: Germany's leading deposit-based reusable cup system, operating a multi-vendor pool used by cafes, restaurants, and bakeries. RECUP is Relevo's most direct competitor and a partner in the ReMuc pilot, competing for the same deposit/return infrastructure.
• Vytal: Digital reusable packaging platform operating across Germany and parts of Europe with a similar deposit-free model to Relevo. Vytal serves the same gastronomy and corporate canteen segments with comparable QR-code-based lending technology.
• reCIRCLE: Swiss-based reusable takeaway container provider operating a network of return stations across Switzerland and expanding into neighboring markets. Competes with Relevo in the DACH region for restaurants and food retailers offering reusable To-Go.
• Muuse: Singapore-based digital reusable packaging platform serving cafes, restaurants, and corporate canteens with QR-code-based container lending. Operates internationally with a similar deposit-free model and is an emerging competitor in the same product category.
• Cup Club: UK-headquartered reusable cup service for offices and food service venues, offering tracked, branded reusable packaging on a subscription basis. Competes with Relevo in the corporate/enterprise reusable packaging segment.

Broad incumbents

• Duni Group: Parent company and majority owner of Relevo, Duni Group is a publicly traded Swedish supplier of sustainable tableware and food packaging to the hospitality industry. Provides Relevo with established European distribution and tableware manufacturing capabilities.
• Stora Enso: Major European renewable packaging materials company offering fiber-based and reusable packaging solutions to food service operators. Adjacent incumbent with sustainability positioning relevant to Relevo's institutional buyers.

Others

• Ornamin: German manufacturer of high-quality reusable food-grade plastic containers, including Relevo's Classic SAN plastic line. Functions as Relevo's OEM/manufacturing partner and is a potential supplier/competitor in the reusable container manufacturing space.
• Arcoroc: European manufacturer of tempered glass tableware supplying Relevo's glass product line (5x more resistant than regular glass). Functions as an OEM partner in the reusable container value chain.
• Kamasys: German provider of automated vending and return station hardware integrated with Relevo's digital platform. Functions as an infrastructure/technology partner in the reusable packaging return-automation stack.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/relevo.de
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/relevo-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/relevo.app

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 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 Relevo