Freshr and Mitsubishi Chemical sign global development deal
Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc., a Canadian pioneer in sustainable packaging, has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) to combat global food waste. The partnership aims to extend shelf life technologies across international supply chains, starting with Japan’s food industry.
The collaboration supports Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s KAITEKI Vision 35, a sustainability strategy targeting environmental, social, and economic impact. For Freshr, the deal marks a critical step in scaling its active packaging technology from Canada to global markets.
Food waste as a climate and economic crisis
Food waste reduction has become a top climate action priority, with the United Nations estimating that one-third of global food is wasted each year. This leads to $2.6 trillion in losses and 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
In Japan, food waste reaches 4.64 million tons annually, making it a significant market for packaging innovation. Technologies like Freshr’s active packaging address spoilage across the supply chain, from production to retail.
Extending the shelf life of proteins
FreshrPack™ technology, a bio-based coating, is chemically immobilised on food packaging films to inhibit bacteria growth. This innovation extends the shelf life of proteins like seafood, beef, and ham.
For salmon and seafood exports, a 2–4 day shelf life extension can cut food waste by 50%, unlocking an estimated $37 million in recovered value per retailer while lowering carbon emissions.
CEO and Founder Mina Mekhail said: “What we sell is time — enabling exporters, distributors, and retailers to reduce supply chain waste and recover lost revenue.”
Strategic alignment with Mitsubishi Chemical
The agreement aligns with MCG’s KAITEKI Vision 35, focusing on food quality preservation. For MCC, with expertise in barrier film technologies, the partnership enables integration of Freshr’s innovations into global packaging systems.
“This partnership supports sustainability goals and improves food quality, reducing waste across the global supply chain,” said Toshiaki Esumi, Senior Director at MCC.
Mekhail added: “This JDA is a strategic opportunity to expand into the Japanese packaging market, building a long-term partnership in one of the world’s strongest economies.”
Scaling through investment
The JDA follows Freshr’s investment round in March 2025, attracting backing from Diamond Edge Ventures (MCG’s VC arm), BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund, and Invest Nova Scotia.
The funding will accelerate commercialisation of sustainable packaging and enable global market expansion. For MCC, the partnership reflects a push toward materials innovation that achieves measurable sustainability impact.
Shaping the future of sustainable packaging
By combining Freshr’s science-driven technology with Mitsubishi Chemical’s global reach, the collaboration aims to cut food loss and reduce carbon emissions.
As global food systems face mounting pressure from climate change, packaging innovation emerges as a key supply chain solution. The Freshr-MCC partnership may serve as a blueprint for scaling food waste solutions worldwide.
