Between new partnerships and revolutionary product launches we’re always up to something at Smart Plastic HQ. Stay connected to all company announcements below.
Smart Plastic and its SPTek ECLIPSE® bio-assimilation technology took the top honor at Trellis Impact 26 in San Francisco.
CHICAGO, Ill. — June 26, 2026 — Smart Plastic Technologies, LLC has been named Trellis Group’s 2026 Climate Tech Startup of the Year, an honor awarded following a live pitch competition on June 25 at Trellis Impact 26 in San Francisco. The company, maker of SPTek ECLIPSE® bio-assimilation technology, was selected from a field of finalists whose innovations spanned battery materials, industrial waste-to-chemicals, critical-mineral recovery, and advanced coatings.
Smart Plastic earned the top vote from the audience for an additive technology aimed at the roughly 91 percent of plastic that is never recycled. Chief Sustainability Officer Sumathi Pakki delivered the company’s winning remarks.
“Plastic was not designed with its end in mind. We changed that.”
— Sumathi Pakki, Chief Sustainability Officer
Smart Plastic was earlier named to Trellis’s “15 Climate Tech Startups to Watch in 2026” in the material innovation category, a list reserved for seed to Series A companies with real traction and customers already signed up. The recognition places Smart Plastic among the climate technologies that corporate buyers, operators, and investors are prioritizing for near-term deployment.
SPTek ECLIPSE® is a drop-in additive used at approximately one percent inclusion, with no new equipment required. It is designed to preserve performance during use, then support bio-assimilation of the plastic to carbon dioxide, water, and biomass if the material is not recovered, as validated by independent laboratories.
“This recognition belongs to a team that has chosen to win on science and credibility rather than hype. It comes at a moment when brand owners need end-of-life solutions that are operationally realistic and ready to scale.” — Yaman Peksenar, Director of Science & Technology
Smart Plastic Technologies, based in Wheeling, Illinois, develops materials solutions designed to improve the end-of-life outcomes of everyday plastic. Its platform, including its patented SPTek ECLIPSE® bio-assimilation technology, is built to work with conventional polyolefins while supporting a more responsible pathway when plastic is not recovered. Smart Plastic Technologies is a Certified B Corporation. Learn more at changetheplastic.com.
View the presentation on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gPt4zUasQyk
Our Chief Sustainability Officer Suma Pakki takes the Startup Day Mainstage in San Francisco this week, pitching ECLIPSE™ as a Materials finalist for Trellis Group's Startup of the Year.
Five weeks ago, we asked you to vote. You did. Today we can say it plainly: Smart Plastic Technologies advanced out of the Materials field of Trellis’s Startups to Watch competition to the in-person finale, and we are in the running to be named Trellis Group’s Startup of the Year.
The deciding pitches happen live during the Startups to Watch Finale on the Startup Day Mainstage — Wednesday, June 24, 9:00–10:30 a.m. at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Suma Pakki and Yaman Peksenar are carrying the SPTek ECLIPSE™ story into the room, in front of thousands of the operators, buyers, and investors who actually move this industry, with leading climate investors as judges.
Trellis Impact is not a trade show with a recycling booth in the corner. It is the premier gathering for sustainable business, convening roughly 2,500 leaders, 300-plus speakers, and 100-plus sessions across the people who turn climate ideas into deployed solutions: Fortune 500 decision-makers, climate-tech founders, and the capital that funds them.
The program is organized around five tracks that, read together, describe the whole arc of the clean economy:
Smart Plastic lives at the intersection of the first and the last. “Close the Loop” is the entire premise of our company: a polyolefin should perform during its useful life, stay recyclable while it is needed, and then, if it escapes recovery, return to nature instead of fragmenting into permanent pollution. “Unlock Startup Innovation” is the bridge we are crossing right now, from validated science to deployed product.
Startups to Watch is a fast-pitch competition across three strategic categories: Data Center Solutions, Material Innovation, and Climate Adaptation. Trellis named the top finalists in each, ran virtual pitch webinars with community voting, and now brings the standouts to the in-person finale. One company walks away as Startup of the Year. Last year that title went to DexMat.
The finale field is a genuinely strong, cross-category group. Joining Smart Plastic on the Startup Day Mainstage are Skyven Technologies, Helix Earth, Airloom Energy, and Mojave Energy Systems — companies working on industrial heat, efficiency, and clean energy. We are the materials answer in that lineup: the one rethinking what plastic becomes after its useful life. Being measured against companies of that caliber, judged by investors from Engine Ventures, Prelude Ventures, Voyager Ventures, VoLo Earth, and At One Ventures, is exactly the kind of pressure a deployment-ready solution should welcome.
It matters that this recognition comes from Trellis specifically. Trellis sets its eligibility bar at Seed-to-Series-A companies that are incorporated, staffed, and have a product ready to test or deploy — traction over hype. That is the conversation we want to be in.
For a startup fighting an entrenched industry, visibility is leverage. The plastics value chain is slow to change, and some of the loudest voices in end-of-life standards have incentives to keep things as they are. A stage like Trellis Impact lets us make our case directly to the people who can adopt ECLIPSE™ — brand owners, converters, and packaging buyers — without waiting for permission from the gatekeepers.
The recognition also arrives at a moment when capital is flowing to climate companies that can show results rather than slides. We are not pitching a concept. SPTek ECLIPSE™ is a drop-in additive at roughly 1% inclusion that requires no retooling, is FDA-compliant for food contact (GRAS), and runs on existing extrusion lines. Independent testing validates bio-assimilation across marine, terrestrial, and anaerobic landfill conditions, with no microplastic residue left behind. And the model is already working in market: more than $1.1M in sales through Q1 2026 and a manufacturing partnership with Sigma Plastics.
That is the difference we will put in front of the judges. Most material solutions ask the world to rebuild its infrastructure first. SPTek ECLIPSE™ asks for one percent.
Whatever the judges decide this week, the meaning is the same. Smart Plastic is being taken seriously, on the main stage of sustainable business, as a materials company with science behind it and product in the market. That is how a new standard takes hold: not by shouting louder than the incumbents, but by showing buyers and partners that a better end-of-life outcome is available today, at almost no added cost.
To everyone who voted, shared, and believed plastic should be engineered with its full lifecycle in mind: thank you. You helped get us here.
If you are at Trellis Impact 26, watch the Startups to Watch Finale on the Startup Day Mainstage Wednesday morning, and come find Suma and Yaman afterward. Let’s build a smarter standard together.
Smart Plastic Technologies develops materials solutions designed to improve plastic end-of-life outcomes. Its platform, including SPTek ECLIPSE™, is built to work with conventional polyolefins (PE and PP) while supporting a more responsible path when plastic is not recovered. Learn more at changetheplastic.com.
Trellis’s annual list goes beyond a simple shoutout. Selected startups get profiled on Trellis.net, pitch in webinars to climate executives and investors, and compete for Startup of the Year at Trellis Impact 26 in San Francisco.
Smart Plastic Technologies is honored to be selected as one of Trellis’s 15 Climate Tech Startups to Watch in 2026. This recognition highlights early-stage innovators in categories like material innovation, where Smart Plastic fits perfectly with our SPTek ECLIPSE™ platform.
Trellis’s annual list goes beyond a simple shoutout. Selected startups get profiled on Trellis.net, pitch in webinars to climate executives and investors, and compete for a shot at 'Startup of the Year' at Trellis Impact 26 in San Francisco. Community voting helps determine finalists at the May 27 webinar pitches, creating real momentum for deployment-ready solutions like Smart Plastic's ECLIPSE™.
For climate tech, this visibility accelerates partnerships with operators, buyers, and funders who prioritize traction over hype. It is especially timely as investors wrote $40.5B in checks to proven climate startups last year.
Plastic has revolutionized packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods, but recovery rates reveal a stark reality: most plastic escapes current systems. Recycling is essential but insufficient on its own. That is where permanent pollution risk grows.
Smart Plastic was founded on a simple belief: plastic should not become permanent pollution. Our SPTek ECLIPSE™ additive is designed to work with conventional polyolefins (PE and PP), preserving performance and recyclability during use (timed and programmable) while supporting a better end-of-life outcome if recovery fails. Independent testing validates this approach across marine, terrestrial, and anaerobic landfill environments, with no microplastic residue.
Unlike solutions demanding infrastructure overhauls, ECLIPSE™ is a drop-in additive at 1% inclusion — no retooling, FDA-compliant (GRAS), and compatible with existing extrusion processes. It addresses the gap in polyolefin packaging like stretch film, bags, and agricultural mulch, where leakage is common.
This practical design makes it deployable now, aligning with Trellis’s focus on Seed-to-Series A companies with real traction. Our $1.1M+ in sales through Q1 2026 and partnerships like Sigma Plastics prove the model works.
Public support shapes the finalists announced in May, setting up webinar pitches and a shot at Trellis Impact 26. If you believe plastic should be engineered with its full lifecycle in mind — performance first, then a responsible end — we'd sincerely appreciate your vote for Smart Plastic!
Thank you for supporting climate tech that is science-led, operationally realistic, and ready to scale. Let’s build a smarter standard together.
Smart Plastic Technologies develops materials solutions designed to improve plastic end-of-life outcomes. Its platform, including SPTek ECLIPSE™, is built to work with conventional polyolefins while supporting a more responsible path when plastic is not recovered. Learn more at changetheplastic.com.
Smart Plastic’s SPTek ECLIPSETM technology is a crucial safety net should plastic products evade the recycling system. Following a guaranteed functional life span, packaging has been shown to degrade up to 63% in 6 months under simulated landfill conditions.
By comparison, conventional plastics are not considered biodegradable. (As verified by ASTM D5526 test).
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[Buffalo Grove, Ill., Aug. 1] - Smart Plastic Technologies, a pioneering company in sustainable plastic solutions, is delighted to announce the appointment of Jerry Starr as the new chairman of its Board of Directors. Mr. Starr, the visionary CEO of Aargus Plastics, brings decades of expertise and a remarkable track record in the plastic industry to the Smart Plastic team. His outstanding leadership and commitment to innovation align seamlessly with Smart Plastic Technologies' mission to revolutionize the global fight against plastic waste.
Aargus Plastics, Inc., founded in 1959, stands as one of the nation's most versatile low- and high-density polyethylene extruders, printers, converters and recyclers. The company has continually adapted to meet the dynamic needs of its customers while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Their range of recyclable products is custom-made to precise specifications and proudly manufactured in the United States.
Jerry Starr's journey with Aargus began in 1971 when he seized the opportunity to acquire a small plastic bag making company, Aargus Poly Bag in Chicago. Under his stewardship, Aargus Plastics witnessed substantial growth, evolving into a22-extrusion line and flexographic printing powerhouse. Starr's strong vision and unwavering commitment to excellence propelled the company to new heights of success. Alongside his wife, Sherry, and eldest son, Scott, Mr. Starr has steered the thriving family business for over three decades.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jerry Starr as the new Board of Directors chairman,"said Tim Murtaugh, founder and CEO of Smart Plastic Technologies. "His wealth of experience in the plastic industry, along with his passionate pursuit of sustainability, perfectly aligns with our values and vision. With Jerry's guidance and expertise, we are confident that Smart Plastic Technologies will continue to lead the way in transforming plastic waste management."
Earlier this year, Smart Plastic announced its status as a certified BCorp, acknowledging its dedication to combatting the global plastic waste crisis and utilizing its innovative bio-assimilation technologies as a force for good. Its cutting-edge SPTek ECLIPSE™ technology offers a bio-assimilable solution that allows plastic products—including stretch film, shopping bags,food service items and more—to degrade completely, leaving no harmful microplastics behind. This revolutionary technology has empowered the company to develop sustainable product offerings that significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic materials.
SmartPlastic Technologies looks forward to collaborating with Jerry Starr to driveinnovation and sustainability in the plastic industry.
To learn more about Smart Plastic Technologies, please visit changetheplastic.com.
Smart Plastic Technologies is a sustainability disruptor in the waste management, environmental and human wellness sectors, redefining the potential of plastic. The company's goal is to transform plastic into a material that supports a circular economy and a regeneration model for the planet and its inhabitants. Smart Plastic Technologies' advanced technologies enhance the beneficial properties of plastic while significantly reducing its environmental impact. All products are 100% recyclable, FDA-approved and designed for the circular economy.
Chuck Morris
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
Tim Murtaugh
CEO and Founder
t.murtaugh@changetheplastic.com
Robin Misir
Senior Vice President
r.misir@changetheplastic.com
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[Buffalo Grove, Ill., June 29] — Smart Plastic Technologies, a global leader in sustainable plastic solutions, is proud to announce its official B Corp certification. This prestigious recognition acknowledges Smart Plastic's dedication to combatting the global plastic waste crisis and utilizing its innovative bio-assimilation technologies as a force for good.
Administered by B Lab, a nonprofit organization driving positive social and environmental change through business, the B Corp certification process rigorously evaluates a company's social and environmental impact. Smart Plastic Technologies underwent a comprehensive assessment of its operations and business model, ensuring alignment with B Lab's standards of transparency, accountability and sustainability.
As a B Corp-certified company, Smart Plastic Technologies joins a global community of like-minded businesses committed to making a positive impact on society and the planet.
We are thrilled to have earned the B Corp certification," said Tim Murtaugh, CEO and founder of Smart Plastic Technologies. "This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainable plastic solutions and reinforces our mission to drive meaningful change in the waste management, environmental and human wellness sectors. We are proud to join the B Corp community and collaborate with other purpose-driven organizations.
Smart Plastic Technologies develops innovative materials that minimize the environmental impact of plastics. The company's sustainable product offerings aim to reduce waste, promote recyclability and mitigate the negative effects of plastic pollution. Through its performance additives, Smart Plastic Technologies protects the health and well-being of both people and the planet while profoundly enhancing the behavior and beneficial properties of plastic.
Smart Plastic’s bio-assimilation technology allows plastic to degrade to a molecular weight that can be consumed by living organisms. This represents the final and conclusive stage of plastic biodegradation, leaving behind no microplastics.
The company’s collaborations with Munchkin, a renowned provider of baby and toddler products, PFN, a leading manufacturer of human wellness nonwovens, and Sigma Stretch Film, an industry leader in stretch film, enable Smart Plastic Technologies to expand its reach and bring sustainable solutions to diverse sectors, creating a positive ripple effect across industries.
The B Corp certification underscores Smart Plastic Technologies' ongoing commitment to operating as a responsible and sustainable business, delivering solutions that support a circular economy and a regeneration model for the future.
To learn more about Smart Plastic Technologies, please visit changetheplastic.com.
Smart Plastic Technologies is a sustainability disruptor in the waste management, environmental and human wellness sectors, redefining the potential of plastic. The company's goal is to transform plastic into a material that supports a circular economy and a regeneration model for the planet and its inhabitants. Smart Plastic Technologies' advanced technologies enhance the beneficial properties of plastic while significantly reducing its environmental impact. All products are 100% recyclable, FDA-approved and designed for the circular economy.
Chuck Morris
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
cjmorris@morriscreative.com
Tim Murtaugh
CEO and Founder
t.murtaugh@changetheplastic.com
Robin Misir
Senior Vice President
r.misir@changetheplastic.com
Smart Plastic Technologies Showcases Breakthrough SPTek ECLIPSE Bioassimilation Solutions at the National Restaurant Association Show 2023 (North Building Booth #5628)
Smart Plastic Technologies continues to make a significant impact on the global plastic waste crisis with its revolutionary, patent-pending, SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology. This weekend, the company's vice president, Robin Misir, and his team will be attending the highly anticipated National Restaurant Association Show 2023 in Chicago to showcase these groundbreaking solutions.
With the ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology, Smart Plastic is providing immediate and scalable answers to the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste. Introduced to the market approximately two years ago, SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology has received acceptance in a wide range of product applications. Smart Plastic is excited to exhibit at the National Restaurant Association Show 2023 and introduce this innovative technology to the restaurant and QSR industries.
Addressing the Problem
The world is drowning in plastic waste. Of the 407 million tons of plastic produced annually, a mere 6% is properly recycled. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions.
SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology provides a sustainable solution to eliminate plastic waste by completely breaking down polyolefins, which are the most widely used types of plastic. This means that instead of plastics ending up as long-lasting waste in landfills or polluting the environment as microplastics, the technology ensures full bioassimilation—their complete breakdown after a programmed useful life period as required by the brand owner. This breakthrough allows for proper end-of-life disposal and offers a safety net in case of mismanaged disposal. By targeting the most prevalent plastics and providing a sustainable way to deal with them, Smart Plastic Technologies has reached a significant milestone in the fight against the global plastic waste crisis.
Read on to learn more about the specific use cases of SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology.
SPTek ECLIPSE™ Straw
Plastic straws contribute significantly to the global plastic waste crisis, with 500 million single-use straws discarded daily in the United States alone. Smart Plastic tackles this problem head-on with the SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation Straw, which offers a scalable and environmentally friendly alternative. These straws are designed to be 100% recyclable and bioassimilate within approximately 42 months, eliminating legacy plastic’s long-lasting harm to the environment.
SPTek ECLIPSE™ Pouch
Traditional multi-layer pouches pose a significant challenge to recycling efforts, with the majority ending up in landfills. The SPTek ECLIPSE™ Pouch provides a game-changing solution: a recyclable alternative that maintains the beneficial properties of stand-up pouches. These pouches are entirely made of a homogenous material, including the zipper, ensuring hassle-free recycling and eliminating the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills. As with all SPTek-infused products, in the event of inappropriate disposal, the pouch will fully bioassimilate.
SPTek VANISH Stretch Film, POWERED BY SPTek ECLIPSE™
Stretch film is a ubiquitous plastic shipping material used extensively in the global economy. It is the number-one use of polyolefin film in the world. SPTek VANISH Stretch Film, powered by SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology, provides a recyclable and environmentally conscious solution that bioassimilates within approximately 6-24 months, leaving zero microplastics behind. By using this stretch film, businesses can protect their cargo without compromising the environment, preventing billions of pounds of plastic waste from entering ecosystems and landfills annually.
The Results
By incorporating SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology into foodservice products, Smart Plastic Technologies is spearheading a positive change in the industry. Our commitment to reducing plastic waste ensures these innovative solutions have a lasting positive impact on the environment. With the adoption of SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation products,foodservice companies are joining the global effort to reduce the volume of plastic in landfills and eliminate the plastic waste crisis that damages ecosystems around the world.
Come Say Hi!
The presence of Smart Plastic Technologies at the National Restaurant Association Show 2023 in Chicago, with Vice President Robin Misir leading the way, represents a significant milestone in the fight against plastic waste. SPTek ECLIPSE™ Bioassimilation technology has proven to be the most effective solution to the plastic waste crisis, ensuring that plastic products can be disposed of responsibly and without harm to the environment. By developing these innovative solutions, Smart Plastic Technologies continues to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Take a few minutes to visit Robin and the team in NorthBuilding Booth #5628 at the show this weekend and learn how Smart Plastic can help your business conquer the plastic waste crisis.
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Robin Misir to Senior Vice President!
As our new Senior Vice President, Robin will be working closely with our CEO Tim to oversee company operations and promote company growth through 2023 and beyond.
Robin has a successful history of leading initiatives for sales, marketing, and business development for underperforming mid-size companies. His expertise lies in managing the development of custom equipment, products, and process designs that positively impact both the environment and the bottom line.
Throughout his career, Robin has used his forward-thinking skills as an executive to deliver superior operations and product development results. Robin has a track record of finding innovative ways of using revolutionary technology to grow revenue and increase margins.
With Robin as our new Senior Vice President, we will thrive in our mission of transforming plastic into a material that supports circular and regeneration economic models for the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
four weeks, the Smart Plastic team will be headed to PACK EXPO International 2022!
Last year's event was truly remarkable - we had the opportunity to meet industry leaders from across the United States and beyond. Our entire team is looking forward to this opportunity again.
We will be at Booth #W-23046 in the Containers and Materials Pavillion (West Building) all week.
This year our team is ready to chat all things sustainability, including how our revolutionary ECLIPSE™ Stretch Film and Co-Ex films are making a serious impact on the polymer industry.
PACK EXPO International is the largest packaging and processing trade show in the world. With over 2,000 exhibitors and >40,000 attendees, there will be no shortage of networking and engaging with the industry's best!
Learn more about this year’s event by visiting www.packexpointernational.com.
Tim Murtaugh founded Smart Plastic Technologies in 2016 after four decades of successful start-up enterprises.
As a true advocate for the health of our planet and its inhabitants, Tim has endeavored to build a strong leadership team that will take Smart Plastic to new heights.
Since Smart Plastic’s founding, Tim has led the management team in developing a global market presence. Different from management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through experience. Honed through the challenges of business throughout the decades, Tim has developed and demonstrated strong leadership skills. He manages under the belief of leading by example, rolling up his sleeves, and inspiring others to engage in achieving a goal.
In addition to his sustainability work, Tim is a strong supporter of child advocacy and has received numerous awards as both a child advocate and philanthropist. He established the Second Chance Foundation and Second Chance Ranch, a home for teenage boys who are victims of abuse and neglect. Tim and his wife, Leslie, adopted a child from the Foundation and currently reside in Knoxville together.
Tim's entrepreneurial experience spans more than 50 years, ranging from decades in real estate development, launching the first consumer VOIP network prepaid calling card company in the US, to founding Smart Plastic Technologies in 2016. A true visionary, analytical thinker, and problem solver who enjoys an international reputation as an ethical and reliable businessman, Tim will establish and lead the Smart Foundation, which will sponsor scholarships to students pursuing an education in sustainability studies.
In 2026, Tim will establish and lead the Smart Foundation, which will sponsor scholarships to students pursuing an education in sustainability studies.
