Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc. (Freshr), a Canadian innovator at the forefront of sustainable active packaging solutions, has announced a landmark Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC). This milestone collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing sustainable technologies and tackling one of the most pressing global challenges—food waste.
The partnership is further strengthened by Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG), the parent company of MCC, which recently invested in Freshr to support the scale-up of its breakthrough technologies and accelerate international growth. MCG’s decision aligns directly with its long-term KAITEKI Vision 35 strategy, a comprehensive sustainability framework aimed at driving progress across environmental, social, and economic pillars.
A Shared Vision for Sustainability
At its core, the JDA represents a powerful strategic alignment between Freshr and MCC. Both organizations bring complementary expertise and resources to the table—Freshr with its pioneering packaging technology, and MCC with its global scale, materials science leadership, and commitment to sustainability.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation,” said Mina Mekhail, CEO and Founder of Freshr. “This agreement reflects MCC’s deep commitment to innovation and sustainability, and affirms the progress we’ve made toward a global vision: reducing food waste with scalable, science-backed solutions.”
Echoing this sentiment, Toshiaki Esumi, Business Senior Director of the Packaging & Barrier Films Department at MCC, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration. “This partnership with Freshr supports our KAITEKI Vision 35 by advancing practical solutions that promote sustainability and improve food quality,” Esumi noted. “We believe their innovative approach to packaging has the potential to significantly reduce food waste and deliver real value across the global supply chain.”
Food Waste: A Global Challenge
The urgency of this partnership cannot be overstated. Food waste is a global crisis, contributing to staggering economic and environmental losses each year. Globally, the issue is responsible for approximately $2.6 trillion in lost economic value and accounts for nearly 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
In Japan, one of MCC’s key markets, food waste continues to be a critical concern. The country generates around 4.64 million tons of food loss and waste annually, underscoring the importance of practical and scalable solutions like Freshr’s.
By combining Freshr’s cutting-edge technology with MCC’s global reach and market expertise, the partnership aims to directly address these challenges, offering new pathways to reduce waste, extend shelf life, and improve supply chain efficiency.
Freshr’s Breakthrough Technology
Freshr has carved out a leadership position in the fight against food waste through its proprietary active packaging innovation, FreshrPack™. This technology leverages a naturally-derived coating that is chemically immobilized onto food packaging films. The result is a powerful solution that inhibits the growth of spoilage-causing bacteria, effectively extending the shelf life of fresh proteins such as seafood, beef, and ham.
Mekhail summarized Freshr’s value proposition with clarity: “At the end of the day, what we sell is time. Time that enables stakeholders across the supply chain to unlock significant value. For exporters, it means reaching further markets and opening new trade routes. For distributors, it offers the flexibility to choose more cost-effective transportation options. And for retailers, it means reducing waste and recovering revenue that would otherwise be lost.”
The measurable impact of this technology is already evident. For example, extending the shelf life of fresh salmon by just two to four days can reduce waste by up to 50%. This translates into an estimated $37 million in annual recovered value per retailer, highlighting both the economic and environmental benefits of the FreshrPack™ system.
Transforming the Fresh Protein Industry
Freshr’s early focus on high-value seafood markets positions it strategically to address one of the most perishable and economically significant segments of the fresh food industry. By reducing spoilage and extending shelf life, the company is helping reshape the global fresh protein supply chain.
The broader implications of this technology go far beyond seafood. Successful shelf-life extension trials with beef, ham, and other proteins suggest that Freshr’s solutions could become a cornerstone technology for multiple categories within the food industry. From local retailers to international exporters, the potential value creation is vast.
Expanding Horizons: The Japanese Market and Beyond
For Freshr, the partnership with MCC is more than just a technical collaboration—it’s also a strategic gateway to the Japanese market and other global regions. Japan, with its advanced food industry and strong emphasis on quality preservation, represents an ideal entry point for Freshr’s expansion.
“This Joint Development Agreement is a strategic opportunity for Freshr to expand into the Japanese market and gives Mitsubishi Chemical Group the opportunity to prepare the market in Japan for what we intend will be a robust long-term partnership in one of the world’s strongest economies,” said Mekhail.
Freshr, headquartered in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has been steadily building its presence on the global stage. With MCC’s backing and international footprint, the company is poised to scale its technology across multiple geographies, furthering its mission to reduce food waste worldwide.
Strong Investor Support
The JDA with MCC builds on Freshr’s momentum following its oversubscribed investment round in March 2025. The round drew participation from a diverse group of investors, including Diamond Edge Ventures (the venture capital arm of MCG), Invest Nova Scotia, Nàdarra Ventures, BDC Capital’s Climate Tech Fund, and Blue Tide Capital Ventures.
This robust investor backing reflects growing confidence in Freshr’s technology and its potential to reshape the global food industry. By addressing both economic inefficiencies and environmental concerns, Freshr has positioned itself as a company with transformative impact.
