Fund Invests in PET Consumer

The Sustainable Jobs Fund (SJF), a $17 million venture capital fund, has announced its $500,000 investment in EvCo Research LLC (EvCo) of Atlanta. EvCo produces water repellent and strength-enhancement coatings derived from recycled PET soft drink bottles.

The polymer compound coatings are used by the paper and packaging industries. Unlike traditional paraffin wax coatings, cardboard boxes protected by EvCote™ are fully recyclable, EvCo claims.

“We’re excited to help fund EvCo’s growth,” says David Kirkpatrick, SJF Managing Director. “EvCo is a great fit for SJF – the company has proprietary products with both strong market advantages and environmental benefits. In addition, production of their resins will help create quality employment in rural Georgia.”

EvCo has already partnered with International Paper, Stamford, Conn., to introduce a new wax-free poultry package that uses EvCo products. The Albertson’s grocery store chain estimates that it has already saved $14 million in avoided waste disposal fees on wax boxes by moving to wax-free cardboard on which it earns recycling revenue.

Other key partners using EvCo products include the Newark Group, Inland Container, Madison-Oslin, and Coca-Cola.

“We appreciate the support of the Sustainable Jobs Fund,” says Scott Seydel, EvCo President. “EvCo has achieved several business breakthroughs this year and SJF is allowing us to effectively follow through for substantial market, ecological, and employment results.”