Sykell

Sykell, a German company founded in 2021, is positioned to address the significant environmental challenge of single-use packaging waste. The firm operates on a packaging-as-a-service model, providing infrastructure and an operating system to facilitate the transition to reusable packaging for the retail and food industries. Co-founders Davide Mazzanti, the CEO, and Michael Kappler, the Chief Innovation Officer, lead the company from its Berlin headquarters. The company has secured a total of $6.08 million in funding over several rounds, with key investors including Collateral Good, Interzero, and REWE Group.

Sykell's business is built on a dual-pronged approach. The first component is "Einfach Mehrweg" ("Simply Reusable"), a reusable packaging system designed for consumer convenience. This system integrates with existing supermarket reverse vending machines, allowing for easy returns without requiring additional hardware investments from businesses. The second pillar is the "Circular ERP," a proprietary software platform that functions as the digital backbone for managing reusable systems. This ERP solution streamlines critical processes such as asset tracking, logistics, clearing and deposit processing, and compliance, thereby reducing the operational burden for its clients. The platform is also offered as a standalone service to other companies in the circular economy.

The company's target market includes the retail, gastronomy, and catering industries. Sykell's service is all-inclusive, covering the provision, delivery, washing, and collection of the reusable containers. These containers are made from recyclable polypropylene (PP) and are designed to be nested efficiently, saving space. By leveraging Germany's established deposit infrastructure, Sykell aims to make its reusable system as convenient as single-use alternatives. A life cycle assessment showed that after 50 uses, the system reduces waste by 91% and water consumption by 74% compared to disposable options. The company has received multiple accolades, including the German Packaging Award and the German Sustainability Award, for its solutions.

Keywords: reusable packaging, circular economy, packaging-as-a-service, deposit return system, Circular ERP, waste reduction, sustainable packaging, food service packaging, retail packaging solutions, logistics management software, asset tracking, clearing and deposit processing, Einfach Mehrweg, returnable containers, sustainable logistics, zero-waste, polypropylene containers, reverse vending machine integration, food industry sustainability, circular supply chain