Berkm

About Berkm

Berkm Inc. operates within the specialty chemicals and sustainable materials sector, focusing on the development and commercialization of a proprietary clay-based additive technology for polymers. Founded in 2018 by Professor Tsung-yen Tsai and Bahruz Mammadov, the company leverages advanced material science to address significant environmental concerns, including plastic pollution and food waste. Mammadov, who serves as CEO, is a serial entrepreneur with a background in chemistry and material science. Professor Tsai, the company's Tech Advisor, has an extensive research background with numerous patents and publications in applied materials. Naveen Kumar, who completed postdoctoral research with Professor Tsai, brings additional industry expertise in improving material properties.

The core of Berkm's business is an additive that, when mixed with plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), forms a nanocomposite with enhanced properties. This technology is designed to improve gas barriers, strength, and ultraviolet resistance in plastic packaging. The primary value proposition for its clients—manufacturers in the automotive, food and beverage, power, medical, and energy sectors—is the ability to reduce the amount of plastic required per package by 8% to 20%. This reduction in material usage translates to cost savings on raw materials and contributes to a lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, the enhanced barrier properties can extend the shelf-life of packaged products, which helps to reduce food and beverage waste.

The company's business model centers on supplying this specialized additive to industrial polymer producers. Berkm has secured funding through various rounds, including a seed round and a grant from the National Science Foundation, with investors such as Berkeley SkyDeck and Right Side Capital Management supporting its growth. The company is actively protecting its intellectual property, with patents pending for its modified nanocomposite material.