dotch GmbH

What dotch GmbH does

dotch GmbH, founded in 2022 in Berlin, operates a full-service reusable packaging system (the dotch Mehrwegsystem) for pre-packaged foods sold in glass. The core product consists of standardised 0.5L and 0.25L reusable pool bottles, compatible with common deposit machines and certified for up to 50 reuse cycles, plus matching 6-bottle boxes. Adjacent service modules cover pool management, empties logistics, professional cleaning (at ~80°C versus ~1,600°C for new glass production), process support for manufacturers switching to reusable, expert consulting, and an individualised CO2 savings calculation based on each customer's real value chain. The company holds the official German reusable seal (Mehrweg-Siegel) and has won the 2025 World Star Award and the Mehrweginnovationspreis 2026.

dotch earns revenue primarily through a Packaging-as-a-Service model: manufacturers pay ongoing pool-management, logistics and cleaning fees under multi-year contracts, rather than purchasing containers outright. Consumer-facing flows use standard deposit values (€0.50 per bottle, €3.50 per 6-bottle box) processed through retailers' deposit machines. The customer base consists of organic and natural-food manufacturers (e.g., Bio Planète/Ölmühle Moog, Brökelmann & Co., MANI Bläuel, Naturata) and the organic retail network distributing their products (Alnatura, BioCompany, Dennree, Denns BioMarkt, plus 30+ wholesalers and regional partners). Geographic reach covers Germany with return infrastructure at 1,400 locations and an emerging presence in Austria via Biogast.

The go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: a B2B field team engages manufacturers and retailers, complemented by annual BIOFACH presence, Zero Waste Festival participation, and membership in reuse-focused industry associations (Mehrwegverband Deutschland, New ERA, BNW). A 24-partner Manufacturer Alliance and the MIKKE point-of-sale initiative (Feb 2026) are the most recent ecosystem-building steps. The team of about 7 employees is led by co-founders André Pietzke and Veronika Pfender (Co-Managing Directors) and Tim Winkler (Technical Director).

Name

dotch GmbH

Legal name

dotch GmbH

Website

https://dotch.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

dotch GmbH operates a full-service reusable glass packaging system for pre-packaged foods, managing the entire pool lifecycle for organic food manufacturers and retailers across Germany via 1,400 deposit-machine return points.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reusable Packaging Services

NAICS

Glass Container Manufacturing (327213), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191)

SIC

Glass Containers (3221)

akta.pro primary industry

Returnable & Refillable Glass Packaging (Deposit, Reuse Systems) (IMALAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE), Wide-Mouth & Storage Glass Packaging (Canisters, Utility Jars) (IMALAEAI), Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ)

Keywords

• Reusable glass packaging
• Circular economy services
• Pool bottle management
• Packaging-as-a-service
• Sustainable food packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Packaging-as-a-Service: Full-service reusable packaging model where dotch manages the entire container lifecycle: development, delivery, collection, sorting, cleaning, and redistribution. Manufacturers pay for the service rather than purchasing containers outright.
2. Pool Management Fees: Ongoing fees for pool container management, empties logistics, and cleaning services provided to manufacturers and retailers
3. Deposit System: Deposit value of €0.50 per bottle and €3.50 per box collected from consumers and recycled through the system

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

dotch GmbH operates a full-service reusable packaging system for pre-packaged foods in glass, managing the entire container lifecycle. The company delivers reusable pool bottles (0.5L and 0.25L formats designed for oils, vinegars, syrups and seasoning sauces) to manufacturers for filling, then handles collection, sorting, professional cleaning, and redistribution via a network of 1,400 deposit machine return points across Germany. Revenue is generated through Packaging-as-a-Service contracts with food manufacturers and organic retailers, plus consumer deposit values of €0.50 per bottle and €3.50 per 6-bottle box.

Product overview

dotch GmbH offers a unified full-service reusable packaging system (dotch Mehrwegsystem) for pre-packaged foods in glass. The core product consists of reusable pool bottles in 0.5L and 0.25L formats designed for oils, vinegars, syrups, and seasoning sauces, with matching 6-bottle boxes for easy handling. Service modules include circular management (pool management, logistics, cleaning), individual CO2 savings calculation, process support for switching to reusable packaging, and expert consulting. The system is designed to make reusable packaging as convenient as single-use, with return via certified deposit machines and deposit values of €0.50 per bottle and €3.50 per box.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• dotch Mehrwegsystem (Reusable System) A full-service reusable packaging system for pre-packaged foods in glass that manages the entire circular economy cycle: development of containers, delivery, collection, sorting, professional cleaning, and return via deposit machines. Designed for food manufacturers and organic retailers in Germany.
• 0.5L & 0.25L Mehrweg-Poolflaschen (Reusable Pool Bottles) Standard reusable pool bottles in 0.5L and 0.25L formats designed for oil, vinegar, syrup and seasoning sauce products. Certified for up to 50 reuse cycles, compatible with standard pourers, and returnable via standard deposit machines. Used by food manufacturers filling oils and similar products for the German organic retail channel.
• 6er Kasten (6-Bottle Box) Matching 6-bottle box for easy handling and transport of reusable bottles, with a consumer deposit value of €3.50 per box. Designed to complement the pool bottle system and simplify logistics for retailers and consumers.
• Beratungsservice (Reusable Packaging Consulting Service) Standalone expert consulting service providing holistic knowledge about reusable packaging and advising food manufacturers and retailers on implementing reusable options, developing new pool containers, and process transformation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to single-use glass packaging
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stiftung Initiative MehrwegcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Joint award presenter for Mehrweginnovationspreis 2026, recognizing leading-edge efforts in reusable packaging since 2006
• Deutsche UmwelthilfecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Joint award presenter for Mehrweginnovationspreis 2026, environmental advocacy organization
• MANI BläuelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Traditional organic company now packaging olive oil 'Selection' in dotch reusable bottles - system growth milestone
• BIO PLANÈTE (Ölmühle Moog)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Manufacturer filling oils in dotch reusable bottles; won World Star Award 2025 for this packaging innovation; expanding distribution to 140+ Alnatura stores
• BNW Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Proud member - voice of sustainable economy in Germany. CEO Dr. Katharina Reuter serves as reference customer praising dotch's enabling solution for circular economy transition
• Mehrwegverband Deutschland e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Founding member and active on board - German Reusable Association representing reusable packaging interests
• New ERA (European Reuse Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Member of European Reusable Network. Attended New ERA General Assembly at Zero Waste Festival Barcelona
• Arbeitskreis MehrwegcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Carries official German reusable seal, verifying compliance with reusable standards
• Circular FuturesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partners of the Circular Economy Initiative supporting transition to circular business models
• Stiftung AusserGewöhnlich BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of the Extraordinary Network supporting innovative Berlin-based businesses
• Circular ERPminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Pilot partner of ERP system for circular economy
• Réseau Vrac & RéemploiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of French Association for reusable and unpackaged products
• Deutsches VerpackungsinstitutminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Member of German Packaging Institute supporting packaging innovation
• Manufacturer Alliance (24 partners)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Alliance of 24 manufacturers demonstrating demand for reusable glass packaging beyond beverages and dairy, with arguments from manufacturer and retailer perspectives
• Professional Cleaning PartnercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Professional cleaning partner who cleans and repackages bottles and jars for reuse cycle completion

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Relevo: Munich-based reusable packaging pool for foodservice and takeaway, partnering with retailers and foodservice operators on a deposit model. Operates a similar reusable-pool business model to dotch with shared deposit/return infrastructure logic.
• MIWA: Swiss reusable packaging system using smart refill stations for grocery and household products. Comparable as a reusable-pool operator with a focus on pre-packaged consumer goods rather than foodservice.
• Vytal Global: German reusable packaging pool operator offering deposit-based reusable containers via app and retailer partners. Directly comparable to dotch on the reusable-pool operating model, although Vytal is more concentrated in foodservice/to-go than retail pre-packaged food.
• Algramo: Chile-headquartered refillable packaging platform sold to consumer goods brands and retailers globally. Comparable to dotch as a reusable/refillable packaging-as-a-service operator targeting brand owners and retail partners.
• RECUP: Germany's largest reusable coffee cup deposit system, operating a national pool with thousands of return points. Comparable to dotch on deposit-based reusable pool mechanics and partner network build-out, though focused on coffee cups rather than glass food bottles.
• ReCircle: Swiss reusable foodservice packaging pool with deposit system. Operates a similar pool-with-deposit return model to dotch, primarily in foodservice but with reusable-pool mechanics directly comparable.

Emerging players

• Globelet: Reusable cup and container pool operator focused on events and foodservice. Comparable on reusable-pool business model and washing/logistics infrastructure, though focused on different end markets.
• CupClub: Reusable packaging-as-a-service operator using IoT-tracked containers. Comparable to dotch on the managed-service reusable packaging model with technology-driven asset tracking, although focused on coffee and foodservice.

Broad incumbents

• Verive: European multi-material reusable packaging supplier and consultancy offering broader reusable solutions across foodservice and retail. Comparable to dotch as an adjacent reusable packaging provider but with a wider portfolio and different focus than glass pool management.

Others

• Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg: German foundation promoting reusable packaging and co-presenter of the Mehrweginnovationspreis 2026 awarded to dotch. Not a direct competitor, but a key industry-body counterpart and policy partner shaping the German reusable ecosystem dotch operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dotch

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 dotch GmbH