Italian sustainable materials specialist Krill Design has introduced ReKrill, an innovative biopolymer derived from orange peels, positioning it as a next-generation solution for luxury and high-performance packaging.
The material debuted at Edition Spéciale, an international sustainable packaging event, where Krill Design presented a full jar and lid prototype manufactured entirely from ReKrill. The solution was selected for the LUXE PACK Green Award, underlining its potential to disrupt traditional packaging materials.
“ReKrill reflects the principles of circular design by transforming by-products into refined objects,” the company stated.
Made exclusively from non-edible and underutilized resources, ReKrill is recycled, biodegradable and compostable – even in marine environments. It avoids the drawbacks of first-generation bioplastics, which often compete with agricultural resources, by utilising food industry waste streams such as citrus peels and coffee grounds.
Krill Design claims ReKrill reduces carbon emissions by up to 67% compared to conventional plastics and leaves no microplastics upon degradation. “The biopolymer maintains the technical reliability of traditional plastics without the environmental burden,” the company added.
Notably, ReKrill is compatible with standard processing equipment, offering mechanical resistance and thermal capacity on par with established polymers. This compatibility enables manufacturers to adopt the material without significant investments in new machinery.
While first developed for luxury packaging applications, Krill Design sees potential across multiple sectors. “ReKrill is versatile and applicable in industries ranging from electronics to fashion, extending far beyond packaging alone,” the firm noted.
The innovation underscores a growing trend among materials developers to harness natural and industrial by-products as high-performance alternatives to fossil-derived plastics.
