The Estonian material technology company KIUD, founded in 2022, is addressing two major global waste problems simultaneously: textile waste and packaging waste. The company has developed a patented mechanical process to transform synthetic and mixed textile waste into rigid, reusable packaging — offering a sustainable alternative to cardboard and plastic.
The environmental challenges addressed by KIUD are substantial. Each year, millions of tonnes of textiles—comprising production off cuts, unsold items, and worn garments—are discarded worldwide, much of which consists of synthetic or blended fibers that are difficult to recycle. At the same time, the growth of e-commerce and global logistics depends heavily on single-use cardboard packaging, which often involves deforestation and contributes significantly to carbon emissions.
KIUD’s material is designed to meet the needs of sectors that can support reuse logistics. These include electronics resale, rental, and refurbishment— industries where items are frequently shipped back and forth — as well as fashion, which plays a dual role as both a packaging client and a textile waste supplier.
The material is lightweight, durable, and reusable up to 20 times. KIUD reports that its packaging has an 82% lower carbon footprint, compared to cardboard. Unlike chemical recycling, KIUD’s dry mechanical process does not require water or chemical additives, and it achieves high material yield with minimal residue.
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Get Your UAE Free Zone License Fast & Easy!“Our packaging is made from materials that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated,” says Kaie Kaas Ojavere, CEO and co-founder of KIUD. “By turning textile waste into packaging products, we are closing the loop in circular economy.
”The company’s solution has applications in both B2B and B2C markets. KIUD’s boxes for smartphone trade-in and buy-back services have been successfully adopted by Scandinavian telecom companies, who report that KIUD’s reusable packaging helps them save 60% in annual packaging costs.
In the fashion industry, KIUD’s approach offers an opportunity to build closed-loop systems where leftover textiles are converted into packaging for online sales or retail use. Brands using KIUD packaging not only reduce their environmental impact, but also visibly demonstrate circular practices to customers.
KIUD has attracted international attention. The company was selected to join the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator in 2024 as one of only five most promising packaging startups in Europe. KIUD is also supported by the WomenTech EU initiative, which backs women-led deep tech ventures across the European Union.
While still a young company, KIUD is already working with companies in electronics, telecom, and fashion across several European markets. Its team consists of experts in circular economy, material science, and sustainable business development.
KIUD’s long-term ambition is to make reusable packaging from textile waste a widely-used, cost-effective alternative to conventional packaging — particularly in sectors ready to transition to circular systems. As resource constraints and waste regulations become more stringent worldwide, solutions like KIUD are expected to play an increasingly important role in packaging of goods.
