Engineered Foam Packaging acquires NatureKool to strengthen cold chain curbside circularity

23 Dec 2022 --- US-based Engineered Foam Packaging (EFP) has acquired the “world’s first” natural fiber insulated shipper NatureKool to provide a complete line of repeatable cold chain packaging solutions to the US market. EFP – a designer and manufacturer of custom protective packaging and cold chain solutions – is expanding its Temperature Solutions Group unit geographically through the acquisition.

“We continue to invest in our business with a focus on applying our unique capabilities to unlock the value of breakthrough packaging needs,” says John Hoeper, president at EFP.

“This acquisition of NatureKool augments our capabilities and strengthens our presence in the growing field of curbside recyclable packaging.”

EFP’s Temperature Solutions Group provides temperature assurance packaging for the safe and efficient transport of pharmaceuticals, food distribution, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products using expanded polystyrene (EPS) material.

With the acquisition of NatureKool, EFP will provide the same thermal performance currently used with EPS in the form of natural fiber thermal packaging. Adding NatureKool to the EFP Temperature Solutions Group will support cold chain customers while offering environmental and health benefits to current and prospective customers.

NatureKool products consist of natural fibers grown without harsh chemicals that make these products compostable and curbside recyclable.

Joe Grzyb, CEO at NatureKool, says: “The integration of NatureKool into EFP will provide the additional resources, expertise and insights that will expand our high-performance, natural fiber insulation product lines while we continue to earn our reputation for excellence in delivery and customer service.”

Cold chain solutions
With operations across the US, EFP Temperature Solutions Group has a broad product offering featuring advanced technology that encompasses refrigerated or frozen applications.

In addition, EFP Temperature Solutions Groups COE Labs deliver individualized design and testing services, innovative packaging solutions, and qualification and validation services to meet all regulatory requirements.

NatureKool products consist of natural fibers grown without harsh chemicals, such as pesticides, that make these products compostable and curbside recyclable.

“We focus on using bast fibers from a family of plants that require very little water, fertilizers and pesticides to grow rapidly while improving the soil. Bast fiber plants produce up to four times as much fiber per acre as trees,” NatureKool details.

“Bast fiber plants are high-yield, fast-growing crops that sequester large amounts of CO2 per acre. Processing natural fiber into insulation requires no chemicals – the process is entirely mechanical with virtually no air or water pollution,” the company states.

With the acquisition of NatureKool, EFP is adding to the years-long research and testing to ensure it matches the same performance as the current EPS products that EFP offers.

Edited by Radhika Sikaria