Earth Renewable Technologies

Established in 2008, Earth Renewable Technologies (ERT) is a greentech company developing solutions to advance the plastics industry’s transition to a circular economy. The firm operates on a business-to-business model, supplying its proprietary bioplastic compounds and additives to manufacturers and brands that serve a variety of sectors, including food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. ERT generates revenue by selling these advanced materials, which enable clients to produce more sustainable products.

The company's core offering revolves around the development of bio-based and compostable polymers designed as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Its main raw material is Polylactic Acid (PLA), a bioplastic derived from the fermentation of sugar from plants like sugarcane. This material forms the basis of ERT's biocompounds, which can decompose into organic matter in as little as 180 days under specific composting conditions, helping to reduce landfill waste. The company holds a patent for a technology that modifies PLA to improve its performance and expand its applications. A key product line is a microfiber concentrate additive that can be incorporated into polymers to increase their strength and improve recyclability. ERT offers several product series tailored for different applications: rigid bioplastics for items like cutlery, lids, and jars; flexible bioplastics for bags and packaging films; and specialized compounds for 3D printing filaments.

Initially founded in Brevard, North Carolina, the company leveraged partnerships in its early stages, such as with the Polymer Center of Excellence (PCE), to access production and development facilities it did not have in-house. This collaboration was crucial for overcoming technical challenges, like the difficulty of feeding low-density fibers, and for accelerating its product development cycle. ERT has achieved significant milestones, including multiple rounds of venture capital funding, with a Series C1 round of $6M in March 2023. The company has also expanded its physical footprint, inaugurating a factory in Brazil in August 2021 and another in Manaus planned for 2024, alongside securing a distribution agreement for the USA, Canada, and Mexico in January 2022.

Keywords: bioplastics, compostable polymers, circular economy, PLA, sustainable packaging, renewable materials, green technology, polymer additives, biocompounds, plastic alternatives, sustainable manufacturing, polylactic acid, bio-based materials, eco-friendly packaging, reducing landfill waste, sustainable innovation, 3D printing filaments, flexible films, rigid bioplastics, food serviceware, environmental technology, waste reduction