Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MIWA - SMART REUSABLE PACKAGING (MIWA - SMART REUSABLE PACKAGING)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-02-29
FMCG packaging is nowadays an iconic linear application. Enormous amounts of packaging material (78 million tons of waste produced annually globally) are being wasted after very short lifetime and after being used only once.
MIWA Technologies is globally recognized reusable packaging innovator based in the Czech Republic. MIWA reusable packaging carries the goods as well as data, working in tandem with unique electronic dispensers placed in retail at refill modules and MIWA digital platform operating in the Cloud. It allows consumers to shop from a wide range of products of daily use (from food to pet food and cleaning products).
Among all sustainable packaging alternatives, it is the reusable packaging, which stands as the top option (EU Waste Hierarchy ). When managed wisely, reusable packaging systems keep value of the packaging material for many cycles of uses. MIWA system needs only 10% of the packaging material (which is kept in a closed loop and reuse even after packaging lifetime) and has 62% lower carbon footprint compared to single use packaging.
While the direction is clear, developing a reusable packaging solution, which would be (i) environmentally viable and (ii) suitable for the industry (meaning economically viable and fulfilling requirements for hygiene, product protection and communication purposes) but also (iii) appealing to consumers in order to support consumer behavior change is highly challenging.
At MIWA, we believe that such solution should be designed for mass market and therefore fulfill highest requirements on the market (set by Brands and large retailers). Further, it should be also based on standardization, cover widest range of products possible, allow smart logistics and incentivization to enhance consumer behavior change.
MIWA Technologies is globally recognized reusable packaging innovator based in the Czech Republic. MIWA reusable packaging carries the goods as well as data, working in tandem with unique electronic dispensers placed in retail at refill modules and MIWA digital platform operating in the Cloud. It allows consumers to shop from a wide range of products of daily use (from food to pet food and cleaning products).
Among all sustainable packaging alternatives, it is the reusable packaging, which stands as the top option (EU Waste Hierarchy ). When managed wisely, reusable packaging systems keep value of the packaging material for many cycles of uses. MIWA system needs only 10% of the packaging material (which is kept in a closed loop and reuse even after packaging lifetime) and has 62% lower carbon footprint compared to single use packaging.
While the direction is clear, developing a reusable packaging solution, which would be (i) environmentally viable and (ii) suitable for the industry (meaning economically viable and fulfilling requirements for hygiene, product protection and communication purposes) but also (iii) appealing to consumers in order to support consumer behavior change is highly challenging.
At MIWA, we believe that such solution should be designed for mass market and therefore fulfill highest requirements on the market (set by Brands and large retailers). Further, it should be also based on standardization, cover widest range of products possible, allow smart logistics and incentivization to enhance consumer behavior change.
Thanks to EIC support during 26 months from 1st January 2022 to 29th February 2024, MIWA Technologies was able to complete major development reflecting industry and market needs and is ready for full commercialization of the system.
MIWA is now ready to distribute and dispense wide product portfolio: dry, liquid and „large products“ for many categories: food, pet food, home care and personal care products.
Another major result is, that New generation MIWA is sufficiently stable, so that it can be passed to third parties for sale, installation and servicing. This opens way for roll out of the system into retail chains and into different geographies.
During EIC project, iteration in between development and industry feedback was performed several times. As a result the technology, its features and UX fits the market.
In concrete terms, we have completed development of
i) Enhancement of the current MIWA 1.5 version for dry products resulting into MIWA 1.7. (MIWA new generation). The new version has upgraded dispensing valves with integrated scales, automatic vibrating of the capsule and digital display integrated within each dispenser. New UX is also more intuitive for consumers. Enhanced features give better shopping experience as well as real-time overview on quantity and price of the product dispensed. For retailers integrated scale significantly improve stock management and logistics planning.
ii) MIWA for liquids, which is being put into first scale production as of the end of 2023 / beginning 2024. Both nonfood and food categories will be covered. Newly designed dispensing valve with uniquely proprietary designed pump is part of the design.
iii) MIWA for large products, which includes changes in the dispensing valve and allows dispensing of large nuts or even some types of pasta.
iv) Solution for B2C including mobile application for Autonomous MIWA and proprietary design of smart consumer containers.
v) Product operation wise we were able to define processes, test them in a domestic market and abroad service center set in the Netherlands. We have also progressed as to material management and reuse of the packaging material in a closed loop system.
vi) Last but not least, setting up Customer Experience Centre, we were able continuously to collect valuable feedback from consumers and therefore to complete consumer containers design as well as incentive schemes set up.
MIWA is now ready to distribute and dispense wide product portfolio: dry, liquid and „large products“ for many categories: food, pet food, home care and personal care products.
Another major result is, that New generation MIWA is sufficiently stable, so that it can be passed to third parties for sale, installation and servicing. This opens way for roll out of the system into retail chains and into different geographies.
During EIC project, iteration in between development and industry feedback was performed several times. As a result the technology, its features and UX fits the market.
In concrete terms, we have completed development of
i) Enhancement of the current MIWA 1.5 version for dry products resulting into MIWA 1.7. (MIWA new generation). The new version has upgraded dispensing valves with integrated scales, automatic vibrating of the capsule and digital display integrated within each dispenser. New UX is also more intuitive for consumers. Enhanced features give better shopping experience as well as real-time overview on quantity and price of the product dispensed. For retailers integrated scale significantly improve stock management and logistics planning.
ii) MIWA for liquids, which is being put into first scale production as of the end of 2023 / beginning 2024. Both nonfood and food categories will be covered. Newly designed dispensing valve with uniquely proprietary designed pump is part of the design.
iii) MIWA for large products, which includes changes in the dispensing valve and allows dispensing of large nuts or even some types of pasta.
iv) Solution for B2C including mobile application for Autonomous MIWA and proprietary design of smart consumer containers.
v) Product operation wise we were able to define processes, test them in a domestic market and abroad service center set in the Netherlands. We have also progressed as to material management and reuse of the packaging material in a closed loop system.
vi) Last but not least, setting up Customer Experience Centre, we were able continuously to collect valuable feedback from consumers and therefore to complete consumer containers design as well as incentive schemes set up.
During last 26 months, MIWA has entered new markets. Besides Czech Republic, we have piloted MIWA in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Portugal. In 2022 MIWA launched its pilot projects with renowned partners-retailers including Albert Heijn, Aldi UK or Continente. In 2023, MIWA entered German market with two projects (REWE and DM).
It stays, that market adoption of reusable packaging and refill especially is very slow, and contrary to our plans, we were not able to reach roll-out with any of the customers. This also negatively influenced our ability to accomplish larger investment round. On the other hand, pilots we were able to run allowed us to reflect feedback in the product development and product operations set up.
Through the EIC project, MIWA has actively participated and continued sharing Reuse mission at events such as Ecomondo in Rimini, ChangeNOW in Paris (33 000 participants) or EVPA Annual Conference (800 participants) in Brussels. In May 2022 we were recognized as a Technology Pioneer 2022 by World Economic Forum. MIWA continued cooperation also with other impact partners – Solar Impulse Foundation, EIB institute and Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF). In March 2022 we presented MIWA at EMF annual event in London. In 2023 we have started cooperation with Czech associations for circular economy. We also engaged in the consulting process of the revision of Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation at the level of EU.
It stays, that market adoption of reusable packaging and refill especially is very slow, and contrary to our plans, we were not able to reach roll-out with any of the customers. This also negatively influenced our ability to accomplish larger investment round. On the other hand, pilots we were able to run allowed us to reflect feedback in the product development and product operations set up.
Through the EIC project, MIWA has actively participated and continued sharing Reuse mission at events such as Ecomondo in Rimini, ChangeNOW in Paris (33 000 participants) or EVPA Annual Conference (800 participants) in Brussels. In May 2022 we were recognized as a Technology Pioneer 2022 by World Economic Forum. MIWA continued cooperation also with other impact partners – Solar Impulse Foundation, EIB institute and Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF). In March 2022 we presented MIWA at EMF annual event in London. In 2023 we have started cooperation with Czech associations for circular economy. We also engaged in the consulting process of the revision of Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation at the level of EU.