GreenVeil Packaging: Building Sustainability in the Agri-Food Sector through Ultra-Biodegradable Material Solutions
Globally, packaging makes up 40% of plastic waste (Our World in Data), with over half of the packaging coming from the food industry (Fortune Business Insights). This packaging stems from all segments of the food supply chain, from single-use plastics like shopping bags and water bottles to shipping and food growth/protection apparatuses like fruit blister trays and nursery plugs.
One Ottawa company, GreenVeil Packaging, is set to revolutionize the agri-food packaging industry with a novel composite material that is ultra-biodegradable and antimicrobial.
The environment-first company leverages locally sourced natural Ontario materials to develop their unique packaging alternative to today’s plastic and compostable options. The new science-driven solution reduces plastic waste, enables tunable degradation time, and contains soil-enriching components, all supporting a circular system instead of petroleum-based plastic pollution.
From the Lab to Naturally-Sourced Ontario Materials
GreenVeil is led by Founder and CEO, Ali Maleki. An Iranian-born entrepreneur, Ali surrounded himself with a small powerhouse team of scientists to develop more effective solutions for biodegradable composite polymers. After moving to Ontario to complete a Physics-Photonics PhD at the University of Ottawa, Ali began testing combinations of Ontario-based materials. One such blend, combining wood-industry by-products with Ontario-mined minerals, proved to provide the sturdiness of plastics with a significant reduction in environmental impact compared to other green options.
“The answer to our research came in the form of specific Ontario-based minerals that could be sourced for low cost, and when combined with wood by-product would enable the mechanical strength of petroleum-based plastics while at the same time accelerating biodegradation in a way that not only minimizes environmental impact, but actually enriches the soil,” Ali explained.
The team moved permanently to Ottawa, setting up a lab space in the University of Ottawa, incorporating in 2024, and patenting their new composite material platform in 2025.
Minerals as a Driving Force for Packaging Innovation
Compared to current packaging options, GreenVeil’s specific insertion of minerals into their packaging formula provides three major benefits. First, the end product is much more durable than traditional compostable packaging, enabling its use for parts of the food and agricultural supply chain that require a higher tolerance to wear and tear.
Take, for example, fruit blister trays, a major target use case for GreenVeil. These trays have strict durability requirements to protect delicate produce during long-distance shipping, automated sorting, and high-density retail stacking. GreenVeil brings a biodegradable solution to this and other parts of the supply chain that require tougher packaging.
Second, the solution has enhanced biodegradation compared to current polymer compostables. Today’s PLA-based compostables, leveraging biodegradable thermoplastics derived from renewable plant-based resources, generally require controlled industrial composting conditions to break down efficiently and can persist much longer in soil, landfills, home-composting, or aquatic environments. This has led many municipalities to speed along the process using industrial machinery. GreenVeil uses minerals to make their solution porous, enabling faster biodegradation in soil and water without requiring secondary processing.
Third, the minerals are made up of components that enrich soil, like silicon and calcium, which are commonly found in fertilizer.
Lowering the Cost of Going Green
Maybe its most promising feature is the low cost of production.
“Right now, our packaging can be sold at a 10% premium to petroleum-based plastics. This is a significant reduction in price from today’s most common compostable and bioplastic packaging options, which are often reported to cost two to four times more than conventional plastics,” said Ali.
Pricing is a major sticking point for the GreenVeil team, who are entering the market with the understanding that invention is only as good as its adoption by the sector.
“Moving from academia to entrepreneurship is about turning research into real-world impact and making sure all stakeholders benefit from the innovation. Our solution may be a breakthrough for the environment, but if it cannot support the business needs of the agri-food sector, from grower to seller, then it is missing half the equation,” reflected Ali. “With our current production model, our packaging is coming in at a much more comparable price to traditional plastics, and with future manufacturing upscaling, we will be working to lower that cost even more.”
Tunability: Biodegradability on Demand
Of course, the normal drawback with biodegradable products is the ability to maintain structural integrity while in use and to only start breaking down soon after being discarded. GreenVeil is designed to dissolve in soil and water quickly but can be “tuned” to begin that process when needed, whether that be weeks or months into use.
This tunability has been a focus of the latest research and development on the product. Working with the University of Ottawa, the company has built a naturally sourced protective resin layer that is engineered onto the polymer with a set expiry date based on customer requirements.
Bringing Innovation to Market
Currently, GreenVeil is moving from prototype development into pilot production and commercialization readiness. Ali and his team have been focused on rigorously testing and validating the packaging with customers. Most recently, the company has taken major steps towards commercialization, securing $700K in federal and provincial funding to carry out major pilot testing with Ferguson Tree Nursery, a large greenhouse facility.
“The move from prototype testing to real-world validation has been rewarding. Seeing the strong interest in the market for our products has inspired us to continue on an accelerated path of pilot testing for commercial launch,” reflected Ali.
With component suppliers already locked in, GreenVeil is actively raising funds for production and looking to set up manufacturing within the next six months.
Working with Launch Lab
Throughout GreenVeil’s journey to market, Ali and his team worked with several innovation organizations and programs, including Elevate IP, eHub, and Invest Ottawa. Their new pilot test is actually backed by several different bodies: Mitacs, Natural Products Canada, and the Canadian Food Innovation Network.
Joining this mix, Launch Lab has contributed to GreenVeil’s success through both the i.d.e.a. Fund, which funds businesses delivering green solutions that drive sustainable and circular economic growth, and business expertise.
“Over the past year, Launch Lab has been one of our primary sources for strategic business mentorship. The organization has connected our team with agri-food specialists across the country, ensuring we better understand our market and how we can best support our future customers,” said Ali.
Driving Real Impact from Science
Ali and his team are currently all in on pilot testing their first ultra-biodegradable products: plant nursery plugs and fruit blister trays, an effort that is hoped to begin the adoption of their material recipe across all aspects of the agri-food supply chain.
“GreenVeil’s goal is to see the agri-food’s petroleum-based polymer packaging replaced by our environmentally beneficial alternative. We are excited to bring a positive change to one of the most critical sectors relied on by Canadians and the World,” explained Ali. “As we move into the market with our solution tested and proven, our team is focused on connecting with the industry and understanding their needs. Invention is only the beginning; innovation takes digging into the problems facing your potential customers and ensuring you are ready to rise to the occasion.”
