UK start-up scales antimicrobial packaging to tackle food waste

Cambridge-based food technology start-up Klura Labs is expanding the development of its antimicrobial packaging technology as it seeks to help retailers reduce food waste and extend the shelf life of fresh food products.

Founded in 2020, the company has developed a patented smart label that incorporates food-safe preservatives into packaging to create an active barrier against bacteria and mould. According to Klura Labs, the technology can extend the shelf life of fresh produce by up to five days without altering the food itself or requiring changes to existing production lines.

The company says the technology has been developed in response to the significant levels of food waste caused by spoilage throughout the supply chain. Globally, around one-third of food produced is wasted each year, while UK supermarkets are estimated to lose up to 6% of products through spoilage.

Klura Labs also cited consumer research, commissioned by the company and carried out by Fleetwood, which found that 82% of UK consumers consider food waste to be an important national issue. More than half (57%) of those surveyed believed improved packaging could help reduce the amount of food wasted.

According to Klura Labs, trials with major retailers have demonstrated commercial benefits alongside shelf-life improvements. The company reported a tenfold return on investment during trials, together with a 7% increase in sales, a 36% reduction in mould-related complaints, and an average shelf-life extension of two days.

The business was established by Dr Reza Saberi Moghaddam and Dr Matin Mohseni, who met through Entrepreneurs First with the aim of developing antimicrobial materials for food preservation. Alongside the company's latest growth plans, Dr Saberi Moghaddam has been appointed Chief Scientific Officer and will oversee scientific strategy, intellectual property development, technical publications and grant applications.

Our lab means we can iterate on materials and run microbial testing in days, not months, far outpacing traditional development cycles for retailers. This funding let us extend that advantage into new product categories and new markets, as well as extend our research into other foods and material science.

Dr Reza Saberi, co-founder and CSO of Klura Labs.

Klura Labs has also announced £8 million in funding, led by Ahren Innovation Capital with participation from Bramble Partners. The investment will support the expansion of the company's Cambridgeshire facilities, further retailer trials throughout 2026, and the development of applications for additional food categories, including strawberries, raspberries, bread and meat products.

The company currently employs a team of scientists, engineers and innovators and holds three published patents, with a further seven patent applications pending.