MicroGREEN Polymers

About MicroGREEN Polymers

MicroGREEN Polymers, incorporated on September 11, 2002, was founded by Greg Branch and Krishna Nadella while they were PhD students at the University of Washington, specializing in microcellular polymer manufacturing. Their venture was born from a vision to commercialize a technology that creates eco-friendly plastics. The core of their work involved licensing patents from the university for a process that saturates recycled PET plastic with a gas like CO2 under pressure and then uses heat to create billions of micro-bubbles, resulting in a lightweight, durable, and recyclable material.

The company focused on producing food service packaging from recycled plastics, most notably its InCycle brand of insulated cups. This product line aimed to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional foam or plastic-coated paper cups. The business model involved manufacturing and selling these products, which included cold beverage cups, containers for frozen and microwavable foods, and plastic sheets for printing applications. Their client base grew to include major airlines such as Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America, and Allegiant Air, which began using the InCycle cups in 2013. The company also sold its products through retailers like Amazon and Costco.

MicroGREEN's technology, called Ad-Air, allowed it to create plastic substrates made with up to 50% post-consumer recycled content, which were waterproof, lightweight, and easily printed on. This process offered substantial economic and environmental advantages over conventional plastic manufacturing. Over its lifespan, the company attracted significant investment, totaling around $80 million from various sources, including venture capital firms like WRF Capital, corporate partners like Waste Management, and tribal nations, including the Stillaguamish Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Despite its promising technology and growing client roster, MicroGREEN faced financial difficulties rooted in a complex ownership structure that deterred new investors. Ultimately, the company was unable to meet its financial obligations and ceased operations in April 2015 after its largest investor foreclosed on its assets, leading to the layoff of its employees.