From left to right – Gergana Stancheva, Angela Ivanova, and Philip Ublekov – founders of LAM’ON.
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That glossy finish on your favorite magazine or new perfume box? For most of us, it’s just a detail we barely notice. But for Gergana and Angela, environmental activists who were working in the printing industry in 2017, it was impossible to ignore the mountains of laminated waste piling up. Waste that would never break down, never be recycled, destined for eternal life in landfills or up in smoke at incinerators. Their drive to find a better way led them to create LAM’ON – a company creating bio-based and compostable thermal laminating films that protect printed materials without harming the planet.
When consumers speak, big companies listen
Modern shoppers are increasingly demanding eco-friendly products, with 73% saying they would change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. This shift has industry giants like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Nestlé racing to reduce their plastic footprint. This conjuncture of events and mindset changes directly affects the global biodegradable plastics market, valued at USD 7.9 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 20.9 billion by 2028, indicating a CAGR of 21.3%. The thermal lamination films global market specifically is expected to reach above EUR 2.08 billion by 2029 from EUR 1.03 billion in 2022. With advances in recycling technologies and bio-based materials, sustainable packaging solutions are set to take center stage. Add to this the pressure from new environmental regulations and breakthroughs in sustainable materials, and it’s clear why the market is ready for change.
The reality we're facing is that only 14%
of plastic packaging ever makes it to recycling. Every year, 1.2 million metric tons of laminated paper and cardboard – enough to fill hundreds of Olympic swimming pools – end up as waste. This isn’t just taking up space in landfills; it’s contaminating our soil and threatening marine wildlife as part of the 280 million tonnes of short-lived plastic products we discard annually. The impact goes beyond visible pollution – in 2019 alone, plastic waste generated 1.8 billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gases, contributing 3.4% of global emissions – that’s equivalent to having an extra 390 million cars on the road. Traditional laminating films and packaging materials, once applied, make recycling nearly impossible, forcing businesses to choose between product protection and environmental responsibility. Think about it – perfectly recyclable materials like paper and cardboard become environmental criminals the moment they’re coated with traditional laminating films. This is especially problematic in publishing and packaging, where these films are used extensively, turning millions of recyclable products into permanent waste.
Through their innovative bio-based films,
LAM’ON eliminates the need to choose between quality and sustainability. Their patented biopolymer recipe powers a production process that cuts energy use in half compared to traditional methods. For businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact, LAM’ON offers three products. Their flagship LAM’ON gives printed materials a professional finish while ensuring they can be safely composted at the end of their life. For retail products, PACK’ON Classic provides the crystal-clear packaging consumers expect, without the environmental guilt. And when it comes to keeping multipacks together, PACK’ON Shrink offers a sustainable alternative to traditional shrink wrap. What sets LAM’ON’s products apart (aside from their bio-based and compostable nature) is their versatility- they can be used across various sectors including print, cosmetics, construction, and fashion, with food packaging pending final certifications of the production site. Each product seamlessly integrates with existing equipment, making the switch to sustainability practical and immediate. Having the industry’s most respected certifications for biodegradability and industrial compostability, LAM’ON proves that high performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Sometimes the most impactful partnerships
start with a lot of closed doors. When Gergana and Angela, friends and environmental activists, began searching for a scientific expert to help turn their sustainable lamination idea into reality, they heard plenty of “no’s”. But persistence paid off when they discovered the work of Associate Professor Philip Ublekov, who was already looking for a way to apply his years of biopolymer expertise to make a tangible difference in the world. The trio proved to be a perfect match – combining chemistry expertise, business knowledge, and a shared drive to revolutionize packaging. Today, this team of nine is showing the world that the future of packaging can be both beautiful and sustainable.
