Footprint (company)

Footprint is a materials science organization that engineers fiber-based packaging in an effort to address the environmental crisis of plastic pollution.[1][2] Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like double-lined kraft.[3] These can be compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable.[2] Footprint's operations are based in the United States, Europe and Mexico.[3][4]

Footprint
Founded2014 (2014)
Founders
  • Troy Swope
  • Yoke Chung
HeadquartersGilbert, Arizona, U.S.
Key people
Troy Swope (CEO)
Websitewww.footprintus.com

History

Footprint was founded by Troy Swope, a former engineer at Intel, who became an "accidental environmentalist."[1] Swope saw that outgassing was damaging Intel's products and thought that plastic food packaging might have the same issue outgassing on food.[5] Troy and Footprint co-founder Yoke Chung founded Footprint in 2014.[1][3][2]

As of 2020, Footprint has factories in the United States and Mexicali, Mexico, with around 1,500 employees.[3] Its main base is in Gilbert, Arizona, which houses a 135,000 square foot complex.[6][7]

In 2021, Footprint was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company.[8]

In December 2021, Footprint and Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. announced a merger acquisition that will result in Footprint becoming a publicly listed company. It is expected to list on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "FOOT."[9] The following September saw its valuation cut as part of an amended merger deal, but with an upsized investment, following delays in its public listing due to macroeconomic environment.[10]

In 2021, Footprint founders Troy Swope and Yoke Chung were named to Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Disruptors: Planet Protectors.[11]

Activities

Footprint's products are made from materials including double-lined kraft and newsprint.[3] The organization uses things like recycled cardboard boxes, agricultural waste and virgin wood fibers to create biodegradable packaging.[2][5] It owns around 240 patents for containers that can keep food safe, including packaging meant for shelves and those that can be frozen for 180 days.[3][2] In the wake of plastic straw bans, Footprint makes a compostable paper straw.[12][13]

Research on turtle behavior

Footprint supports the research of Christine Figgener, a marine conservation biologist who documents turtle behavior and has investigated the effect of plastics pollution on their natural habitat.[12] Her video showing a turtle with a straw stuck in its snout garnered 37 million views as of September 2019, which raised awareness of the crisis.[12][14]

Transition from plastics to alternatives

Footprint has supported Conagra Brands transition from plastic products to fiber bowls.[3][15] Footprint has developed fiber-based plastic alternatives for Philips, Bose, Target, and Foxconn.[3] Sweetgreen has switched to bowls designed by Footprint.[16]

Sports

Food service items for the Super Bowl LIV were supplied by Footprint.[1] These included more than 100,000 plates, bowls, cups, hot dog boards, and straws.[2][17] Coolers designed by Footprint used in the Super Bowl LIV were biodegradable.[3][18]

In July 2021, Footprint and the Phoenix Suns announced a naming rights partnership for Footprint Center. As part of the partnership, Footprint Center will eliminate single-use plastic from the arena.[19][20]

NextGen Cup Challenge

In 2018, Footprint joined Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola Company, Yum Brands, Wendy's, and Nestlé in the NextGen Cup Challenge, which sought to identify an optimal cup design that was recyclable.[3][21] Footprint's entry was called CoolTouch and debuted during Climate Week.[3]

European Expansion

In Sept. 2021, Footprint announced plans for a European R&D center in the Netherlands that will also serve as the company's European headquarters.[4]

References
  1. Schlossberg, Tatiana (27 May 2020). "Tired of Plastic? These Businesses Have Ideas for You". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  2. Morris, Amanda. "Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives". USA TODAY. Retrieved Jan 30, 2020.
  3. Rainey, Clint (10 March 2020). "Footprint is proving that sustainability can scale". Fast Company. Retrieved Mar 10, 2020.
  4. Blye, Andy. "Gilbert's Footprint to establish European HQ, R&D center in the Netherlands". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved Sep 10, 2021.
  5. Clifford, Catherine (4 June 2021). "How this ex-Intel boss became an 'accidental environmentalist' fighting to eliminate single-use plastics". CNBC. Retrieved Jun 4, 2021.
  6. Phillips, Mark (21 February 2020). "Gilbert company contributes to Arizona's economic growth". KNXV. Retrieved Feb 20, 2020.
  7. Brown, Brandon. "Former Sprouts interim CEO hired by innovative Gilbert company". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved Apr 3, 2020.
  8. "These are the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 companies". CNBC. 25 May 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  9. "Footprint to go public in $1.6 bln deal with Gores-backed SPAC". Reuters. 8 June 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  10. Nishant, Niket (September 6, 2022). "Footprint valuation drops 38% after amended deal with Gores-backed SPAC". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022.
  11. "America's Greatest Disruptors Planet Protectors". Reuters. 8 June 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  12. Stevenson, Seth (12 September 2019). "How the Plastic Straw Got Canceled". Slate Magazine. Retrieved Sep 12, 2019.
  13. "Gilbert recycling company Footprint wins challenge to reinvent cups". KTAR.com. 11 March 2019.
  14. Estes, Christina (27 May 2019). "How A Sea Turtle Led An Arizona Company To Make Paper Straws". KJZZ. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  15. De Leon Chavez, Melissa (1 October 2020). "Conagra Brands Continues Progress Toward Sustainability Goals With New Products". Deli Market News. Retrieved Oct 1, 2020.
  16. Peters, Adele (6 March 2020). "Sweetgreen is rolling out compostable bowls without any 'forever chemicals'". Fast Company. Retrieved Mar 6, 2020.
  17. Morris, Amanda. "Arizona company fights plastic pollution at Super Bowl LIV with eco-friendly alternatives". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved Jan 29, 2020.
  18. Parker, Thomas (31 January 2020). "What is Footprint US? The Super Bowl's official sustainability sponsor". NS Packaging. Retrieved Jan 31, 2020.
  19. Young, Jabari (16 July 2021). "Phoenix Suns arena will be named Footprint Center in 'one of the most unique partnerships in sports'". CNBC. Retrieved Jul 16, 2021.
  20. Newcomb, Tim. "Phoenix Suns Partner With Footprint On Arena Naming Rights And Elimination Of Plastic Waste". Forbes. Retrieved Jul 16, 2021.
  21. McMahon, Xandra. "These 3 Companies Are Helping You Drink Responsibly (When It Comes To The Earth, Anyway)". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved Sep 19, 2019.
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