GILBERT, Ariz. & EMERYVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Footprint, a global materials science technology company focused on creating a healthy planet, today announced a partnership with f’real foods, the purveyors of on-the-go, blend-it-yourself shakes and smoothies, under which the companies will leverage Footprint’s fiber-based solutions to develop a sustainable replacement for f’real’s signature dairy cup.
f’real’s patented in-store blending system, which blends delicious, authentic milkshakes and smoothies at the touch of a button in about a minute, can be found in more than 20,000 locations around the world, including convenience stores, colleges and universities, theaters, and military bases. As part of its sustainable packaging goals, f’real is transitioning away from single-use plastics and moving towards fully recyclable and responsibly sourced packaging. In the U.S. specifically, the company aims for 100% of its packaging to meet these criteria by 2025.
Footprint’s team will consider several design factors as they create this molded fiber cup to ensure it works seamlessly with f’real’s current and future equipment – including its powerful mixing technology – while providing an enjoyable drinking experience for consumers. The cups will also utilize Footprint’s Print-to-Fiber Technology™ – an award-winning flexographic print process for molded fiber cups – to highlight the f’real brand. This innovative process delivers high-quality, color-rich printing on the fiber surface while eliminating the need for a separate plastic label on the product.
“Footprint’s engineers are always up for a challenge and are focused on perfecting the intricate design and engineering of this cup, which we look forward to bringing to market,” said Footprint Co-Founder and CEO Troy Swope. “Working with customers like f’real allows us to highlight the significant science and engineering that goes into Footprint’s solutions while reinforcing our commitment to collaborating with customers to develop a product tailored to their unique needs.”
“Like many sustainably minded companies, we’re always looking to improve the impact we’re making on the environment and that includes the packaging of our delicious products,” said Nikkie McBrayer, senior director, global equipment platforms for Rich Products, parent company of the f’real brand. “The opportunity to collaborate with Footprint to create a positive change while upholding packaging performance for our f’real milkshake and smoothie cups is truly a win-win.”
Footprint will begin extensive testing this month to ensure that the design of the plastic-free dairy cup meets all design expectations.
This follows the announcement of Footprint’s intention to list on the NASDAQ in a proposed business combination with Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. (“Gores Holdings VIII”) (Nasdaq: GIIXU, GIIX and GIIXW).
To learn more about Footprint’s solutions, visit www.FootprintUS.com.
About Footprint
Footprint has a clear vision to create a healthier planet and healthier people. Phase one of our mission is to provide solutions that eliminate single-use and short-term use plastics in our food chain. Footprint’s team of engineers use plant-based fiber technology to design, develop and manufacture biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable products that compete with plastic’s cost, and exceed its performance. Footprint is rapidly expanding into new categories with customized and patented solutions for customers. Footprint’s products have already led to a global redirection of millions of pounds of plastic waste from entering the air, earth, and water working with leading global consumer brands.
Footprint was founded in 2014 by former Intel engineers, Troy Swope and Yoke Chung. The company employs more than 2,700 employees, with operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Footprint was named to the 2020 Fortune “Change the World” list in 2020, is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Innovators Community and was named a CNBC Disruptor 50 company in 2021.
In December 2021, Footprint announced its intention to list on NASDAQ as a public company in a business combination agreement with Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. (Nasdaq: GIIX, GIIXW and GIIXU). Additional information regarding this business combination can be found at www.sec.gov.
For more information on Footprint’s sustainable solutions visit www.footprintus.com.
About f’real
f’real is a fast-growing company that designs, sells, and markets blend-it-yourself shakes and smoothies all made from honest ingredients. f’real machines can be found in more than 20,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada including convenience stores, colleges and universities, theaters, and military bases. The patented in-store blending system creates blends of delicious and authentic milkshakes, smoothies, and protein shakes at the touch of a button in about a minute. As the No. 1 frozen novelty offering in convenience stores, f’real’s success can be attributed to continued innovation in the category and the quality of its products. f’real foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rich Products Corporation and is based in Emeryville, CA. For more information, please visit freal.com or follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Gores Holdings VIII, Inc.
Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. (Nasdaq: GIIXU) is a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of The Gores Group, LLC, founded by Alec Gores. Gores Holdings VIII, Inc. completed its initial public offering in March 2021, raising approximately $345 million in cash proceeds for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Gores Holdings VIII, Inc.’s strategy is to identify, acquire and, after the initial business combination, to build a company in an industry or sector that complements the experience of its management team and can benefit from their operational expertise.
About The Gores Group LLC
Founded in 1987, The Gores Group is a global investment firm focused on partnering with differentiated businesses that can benefit from the firm’s extensive industry knowledge and decades long experience. To date, affiliates of The Gores Group have announced or closed ten business combinations representing approximately $60 billion in transaction value which include: Hostess (Gores Holdings, Inc.), Verra Mobility (Gores Holdings II, Inc.), PAE (Gores Holdings III, Inc.), Luminar (Gores Metropoulos, Inc.), United Wholesale Mortgage (Gores Holdings IV, Inc.), Ardagh Metal Packaging (Gores Holdings V, Inc.), Matterport (Gores Holdings VI, Inc.), Sonder (Gores Metropoulos II, Inc.), Polestar (Gores Guggenheim) and Footprint (pending; Gores Holdings VIII, Inc.). For more information, please visit www.gores.com.