What Copperprotek does

Copperprotek is a Chilean biotechnology company founded in 2015 that has developed a patented platform of 100% copper microparticles designed to extend the shelf life of food products and reduce microbial contamination in food-contact packaging. The proprietary microparticles are combined with virgin polyolefin resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PET) at a low dosage of 80 mg/m² and integrated into packaging film without altering mechanical properties or color; once embedded, the microparticles release copper ions that disrupt bacterial membranes and generate oxidative stress against proteins, lipids, and DNA. Demonstrated shelf-life extensions include +30 days for ham and sausages, +29 days for fresh pork, +11 days for fresh chicken, and +5 days for cheese, with Listeria reductions of 99.9% on food-contact surfaces and 99.99% on logistics/production surfaces. Copperprotek also operates two adjacent sub-brands — ION29, a copper-microparticle skincare cream, and Coverprotek, copper-infused logistics boxes targeting E. coli, Salmonella, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The company monetizes its core technology through a licensing and royalty model, supplying masterbatch to packaging manufacturers who integrate the additive into film for food producers across the meat, poultry, dairy, and processed-food segments. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting commercial managers at food producers and packaging converters, supported by a multilingual website (English, Spanish, Portuguese) and meeting-scheduling workflows. Following a four-year regulatory testing process, Copperprotek secured FDA/FSIS GRAS approval in June 2024 (covering red meat, hot dogs, pork, deli meats, salmon, and cheese) and ANVISA approval in Brazil, and has launched industrial-scale production testing with a $5B U.S.-based global packaging firm beginning January 2025. The firm is headquartered in Quilicura, Santiago, Chile, with a U.S. subsidiary (Copperprotek USA) in Boca Raton, FL, and operates with a team of 1-10 employees after two undisclosed fundraising rounds since founding.

Name

Copperprotek

Legal name

Copperprotek SpA

Website

https://copperprotek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Copperprotek is a Chilean biotechnology company that licenses patented copper microparticle technology to packaging manufacturers, enabling food packaging films that extend shelf life by up to 30 days and reduce pathogens like Listeria by up to 99.99%, serving food producers and packaging converters in the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Packaging Biotechnology

NAICS

Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Packaging Coatings & Linings (BPA-NI, Epoxy, Internal Coatings) (IMALADAK)

Keywords

• Food packaging biotechnology
• Antimicrobial packaging additives
• Shelf life extension
• Copper microparticle technology
• Active food preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 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. Licensing/Royalty from Packaging Integration: The company licenses its patented copper microparticle technology to packaging manufacturers who incorporate the masterbatch into film production. The technology is combined with virgin polyolefin resin and layered into packaging film for food producers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Copperprotek develops and licenses a patented 100% copper microparticle biotechnology that, when integrated with virgin polyolefin resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PET) and layered into food packaging film, naturally releases copper ions to eliminate microorganisms, extending the shelf life of proteins by up to 30 days. The technology serves food producers and packaging manufacturers seeking antimicrobial, transparent film solutions that require no FSIS labeling disclosure due to minimal copper migration (80 mg/m²). The FDA/FSIS GRAS approval (June 2024) makes it the first copper salts-based shelf life extension additive cleared for U.S. food packaging applications.

Product overview

Copperprotek is a Chilean biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary portfolio centered on patented copper microparticle technology. The core product is a 100% copper microparticle-based shelf life extension additive for food packaging, which integrates into virgin polyolefin resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, PET) without affecting mechanical properties or color. The technology is complemented by two sub-brands: ION29 (a multi-use body and facial cream leveraging the same copper microparticle technology for skincare applications) and Coverprotek (logistics boxes incorporating copper microparticles for industrial/food service use). The company's flagship biotechnology is the first copper salts-based shelf life extension additive to receive FDA/FSIS GRAS approval.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ION29: Multi-use body and facial cream containing copper microparticles that release bioavailable ions for skin cell development, collagen and elastin production, targeting acne, psoriasis, wound healing, and skincare
• Coverprotek

Products and services

• Copperprotek Biotechnology (Copper Salts-Based Shelf Life Extension Additive) Patented 100% copper microparticle technology designed to be layered into food-packaging materials. When incorporated into packaging, it naturally eliminates microorganisms, extending the shelf life of various foods by up to 30 days. The microparticles combine with virgin polyolefin resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, or PET) without altering mechanical properties or color. Licensed to packaging manufacturers and supplied to food producers for meat, poultry, dairy, and processed foods.
• Coverprotek Logistics Boxes Logistics boxes incorporating patented Copperprotek copper microparticles with 24/7 biocidal action, preventing biofilm development and achieving 99.99% reduction in bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Designed for industrial food operations and food service applications.
• ION29 Multi-Use Body and Facial Cream Multi-use body and facial cream containing copper microparticles that release bioavailable ions for rapid absorption, stimulating cell development and promoting collagen and elastin production in the skin. Marketed for acne treatment, psoriasis management, intensive repair, and wound/cicatrice care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extends shelf life of proteins by up to 30 days (ham)
• +6 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• U.S.-based $5B Global Packaging FirmflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Industrial-scale testing partnership with a major U.S.-based packaging firm (reportedly a $5B global packaging company) for production testing starting January 2025. This partnership follows FDA/FSIS GRAS approval and represents the first major commercial deployment of Copperprotek technology in U.S. markets for consumer-facing animal-based products including fresh beef, pork, and processed meats.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Microban International: Global leader in built-in antimicrobial technologies for polymers, coatings, and textiles, with extensive food-contact and food-packaging additive offerings. Directly comparable as an incumbent antimicrobial-additive supplier whose products compete for the same packaging-manufacturer qualification slots as Copperprotek's copper microparticles.
• Sanitized AG: Swiss provider of antimicrobial hygiene function and material protection for polymers, textiles, and coatings, including food-contact applications. Comparable as a licensing-model antimicrobial-additive supplier to packaging and polymer manufacturers.
• BioCote: UK-based antimicrobial technology company that licenses silver-ion and other antimicrobial additives into plastics, coatings, and consumer products including food-contact applications. Comparable as a licensing-model antimicrobial-additive peer targeting packaging manufacturers.
• Sciessent: U.S.-based provider of antimicrobial and odor-control technologies (including Agion silver-based additives) sold into textiles, healthcare, and food-contact applications. Most directly comparable to Copperprotek as a specialty antimicrobial additive supplier targeting food packaging and food-contact surfaces.
• Addmaster: UK-based supplier of antimicrobial and antibacterial masterbatch additives (Biomaster) for plastics including food packaging. Comparable as a specialty antimicrobial masterbatch peer competing for similar packaging-manufacturer customers.

Broad incumbents

• Avient: Specialty polymer materials company (formerly PolyOne) offering specialty masterbatches and additive formulations including antimicrobial grades for packaging. Comparable as a large specialty-polymer/additive supplier competing for the same masterbatch slots inside packaging manufacturers.
• Sealed Air: Global packaging incumbent (Cryovac, etc.) with extensive food packaging and shelf-life extension technologies for meat, poultry, and processed foods. Comparable as a large established food-packaging player addressing the same shelf-life and food-safety pain points Copperprotek targets, though via packaging systems rather than antimicrobial additives.
• AptarGroup: Global supplier of dispensing closures, packaging components, and active-material packaging solutions for food, beverage, and personal care. Comparable as a broad packaging incumbent with food-safety and shelf-life-relevant product lines, though operating through packaging systems rather than antimicrobial additives.
• BASF: Global chemical major with a broad portfolio of additives for food packaging plastics, including antimicrobial and shelf-life extension solutions. Comparable as a large, diversified specialty-chemical supplier whose packaging-additives portfolio overlaps with Copperprotek's target customer use cases.

Others

• CCL Industries: World's largest specialty label and packaging company with deep food and consumer-goods packaging exposure. Comparable as a packaging-industry ecosystem participant that interfaces with antimicrobial-additive suppliers like Copperprotek at the packaging-manufacturer level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/copperprotekcl

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Copperprotek