Karibou: No more excuses

“My father comes from the plastics industry. We knew the challenges. We knew that plastic is a big issue, so we started thinking about doing something different. How could we, at scale, replace plastics?” explains Xavier Pinosa, CEO of Karibou.

Based in Sant Cugat, just outside Barcelona, Karibou produces sustainable packaging like cups, containers and cutlery through a completely sustainable manufacturing process using energy from renewable sources only, and with no toxic glues or plastic films – just paper. “We are here to replace single-use plastics. We offer a different solution based on cellulose, plant-based materials that are biodegradable and sustainable.”

FAMILY ROOTS

What started as a family business has grown since the first piece of machinery arrived in 2021, and today the company supplies the likes of LIDL, ALDI and Heineken with packaging solutions that get the job done as well as plastic, but…without any plastic. “We’re growing fast and we need to be accompanied in this growth,” Xavier says. This is why he sought an EU-guaranteed loan through Santander, backed by the EIF under the InvestEU programme, allowing the company to increase production capacity, boost R&D, and shift gears to take on the next level. “We wanted to be the first to produce paper cups with no plastic lamination and needed financial partners that were able to understand the scale-up efforts of the business.”

ACHIEVING IMPACT

Scaling the business is key for Xavier, as it’s through scale that the company can achieve real impact: “Every kilo of product we produce reduces CO2 emissions,” he adds. “But this is a transition, it’s not perfect and it’s not black or white. Every day we improve things and aim for more.” The other thing that is important in terms of impact is regulation. With the legislative framework pushing us all away from plastics, solutions like Karibou’s are more and more sought-after. “This is true, but I think it’s also about society. Sustainability concerns are rising, and we are seeing brand owners committing to move towards more sustainable solutions, regardless of the regulation.”

UNCOMPROMISED SUSTAINABILITY

Xavier feels that this is the first generation with the information, technology and means to propose real change. And that’s what they are doing, giving the company the name of an animal that represents nature at its best. “We were simply fed up with the environment being compromised…”

Location: Sant Cugat, Catalunya
Financial Intermediary: Santander
SME: Karibou
Sector: packaging
Number of employees: 90
Financing purpose: R&D; scale-up
EU financing: InvestEU