Draft:Cruz Foam

Overview

Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Cruz Foam has pioneered a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based foam, derived from 70% upcycled food waste and other naturally sourced ingredients within existing supply chains. . This bio-benign packaging foam solution reflects the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Cruz Foam's collection of compostable packaging products, including Cruz Wrap, Cruz Pack, Cruz Cool, and Cruz Crush, showcases mechanical properties and thermal insulation capabilities comparable to traditional foams. Tested and Lomi approved by Pela Earth Lomi's home composting system,, Cruz Foam sets a new standard by being the first material to receive a perfect score of 100.

Process

Utilizing a patented process, Cruz Foam has developed a novel formula from natural ingredients that can be extruded into a diverse range of packaging solutions. This earth-digestible solution is pelletized and seamlessly integrated into existing manufacturing equipment, demonstrating its versatility. The material's technical characteristics can be tailored to meet the preferred properties of the final product, showcasing adaptability without compromising sustainability.

History

Founded in 2017 by John Felts and Marco Rolandi, Cruz Foam's journey began in a basement laboratory at Baskin Engineering. From its roots in Startup Sandbox, a bioscience incubator,, to its involvement in the Accelerator at Sea program and subsequent relocations, Cruz Foam has evolved into a key player in the sustainable materials landscape.

In July 2022, Cruz Foam contributed to agricultural technology, producing a product for Re-Nuble to create indoor farming grow media from its patented foam formula. In February 2023, the company introduced a new packaging product line, further solidifying its commitment to eco-friendly solutions.

Funding

Cruz Foam's commitment to innovation has been supported by strategic funding initiatives. In October 2022, the company raised $18M in a Series A funding round led by Helena, joined by One Small Planet, Regeneration.VC, At One Ventures, and SoundWaves. Earlier support included a $3.4M seed round in April 2022 with advisors Leonardo DiCaprio and Ashton Kutcher, as well as previous funding rounds dating back to March 2020.

Patents

Cruz Foam's scientific foundation is evident in its patents, covering biodegradable foams, organic polymer processing, and biodegradable foam with laminate layers. These patents highlight the material's composition, foam-forming process, and its potential in diverse applications.

Recognition

Cruz Foam's contributions have not gone unnoticed, earning the Global Fisheries Innovation Award in 2022, the Global Green Business Award in 2021, and recognition as a finalist in Rabobank's Foodbytes 2021 program. The company was also selected as one of three finalists by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in 2020, and in 2023, it received the Innovative Business of the Year award at the Santa Cruz NEXTies

In addition to these accolades, Cruz Foam was honored with the 2023 Time Innovation of the Year award in the Sustainable Food Category for its product Cruz Cool™. Furthermore, the company received a Bronze design award from the 2023 PentAwards, further validating its commitment to sustainability and design excellence.

In summary, Cruz Foam's material, crafted from 70% upcycled food waste, stands as a testament to innovation and sustainability, marked by its scientific foundation and numerous accolades within the industry.