Why We Invested: Earthodic
At Redstick, our mission is to shape the future of food through bold, visionary innovation. Sometimes that means reimagining not just what we eat, but the packaging that brings it to us. That’s why we’re proud to announce our investment in Earthodic—a pioneering company revolutionizing sustainable food packaging through bio-based coatings.
The Problem: Packaging's Hidden Environmental Cost
The food industry has a packaging problem. Traditional wax and plastic coatings used in paper food packaging create an environmental double-bind:
They're not recyclable or compostable
They introduce harmful chemicals like PFAS into our food chain
They contribute significantly to our growing waste crisis
Despite increasing consumer and regulatory pressure for sustainable solutions, the industry has struggled to find alternatives that deliver the same performance without compromising on sustainability or scalability.
The Solution: Nature's Own Technology
Earthodic's approach is as elegant as it is revolutionary: they've developed bio-based functional coatings derived from lignin—the natural compound that gives trees their strength—to replace traditional wax and plastic coatings in paper packaging.
Their flagship product, Biobarc, offers:
Superior water resistance meeting ISO 535 Cobb standards
Both liquid water barrier and oil and grease resistance
Full recyclability
A 100% bio-based formulation using what is typically a waste product
What impressed us most is how they've transformed lignin—a byproduct of the paper industry that traditionally has limited applications—into a high-performance coating that outperforms conventional alternatives.
Why Earthodic Will Win
In a crowded field of sustainability claims, Earthodic stands apart with several powerful competitive advantages:
True circular economy solution: By using lignin, a byproduct of the paper industry, they're closing the loop on waste streams rather than creating new ones
Drop-in implementation: Their solutions integrate into existing supply chains without requiring manufacturers to invest in new equipment or processes—a critical factor for rapid industry adoption
Technical expertise moat: The team's deep knowledge of lignin chemistry and applications creates a significant barrier to competition, reinforced by a growing patent portfolio
Performance that exceeds, not just meets: Unlike many sustainable alternatives that ask customers to compromise, Biobarc actually improves product performance
Validation from industry leaders: Engagement with major packaging and coating companies demonstrate that the technology has already earned trust from the most demanding customers
The Team Making It Happen
Earthodic's founding team combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen:
Anthony Musumeci (Co-founder - CEO) - With a PhD in nanomaterials and experience bringing innovative products to market, Anthony provides the business leadership to scale Earthodic's vision
Albert Tietz (Co-Founder - Innovation) - The "mad scientist" behind Earthodic's formulations, Albert has spent over a decade developing lignin-based products, creating the technical foundation for the company's innovations
Fiona Donaghey (Co-Founder - COO) - Described as "the lignin that holds the team together," Fiona brings crucial operational expertise in branding, certifications, and compliance
This core team is supported by industry veterans like Tony Lyons (Coatings specialist with 35+ years in the paper industry), Gary Robinson (30+ years packaging industry experience across early stage companies to global multinationals) and Lon Pschigoda (25+ years experience on Paper Coating and application techniques), creating a powerful knowledge ecosystem.
Why This Market Matters Now
The sustainable packaging market isn't just growing—it's accelerating, driven by three powerful forces:
Regulatory pressure: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations on single-use plastics and extending producer responsibility for packaging end-of-life
Consumer demand: Today's consumers increasingly make purchasing decisions based on packaging sustainability, willing to pay premiums for truly eco-friendly solutions
Corporate commitments: Major brands have set ambitious sustainability targets for 2025-2030, creating urgent demand for solutions that can be implemented at scale
These trends have created what we see as a perfect moment for Earthodic's technology. The industry is actively searching for solutions that are both sustainable and commercially viable—exactly what Earthodic delivers.
Our Role
Beyond capital, we're excited to leverage Redstick's deep food industry network to help Earthodic accelerate their growth, particularly as they expand their presence in North America. Our expertise in food technology commercialization will support their transition from promising technology to industry standard.
The Future We See
Today, Earthodic is focused on water-resistant paper packaging, but their technology platform has potential applications across the entire packaging ecosystem. Their roadmap includes expanding into oxygen and vapor barriers, opening even larger market opportunities.
We believe Earthodic represents the future of sustainable packaging—solutions that are better for the environment and better for business. The days of compromising performance for sustainability are ending, and Earthodic is leading the way.
We couldn't be more excited to partner with Anthony, Albert, Fiona and the entire Earthodic team on their mission to eliminate environmentally harmful packaging from the food system.
— Shane Larisey & Cam Crowder
Co-Founders of Redstick
