Tipa, which is Hebrew for "a water drop", was established in 2010 with an R&D grant from the Israeli chief scientist by co-founders Daphna Nissenbaum and Tal Neuman with the aim of creating bio-degradable and recyclable packaging.

Nissenbaum told Israeli news website and non-profit organisation Israel21c that the idea was to create a package that was "as close to nature as possible" and that the breakthrough moment had been in creating a flexible film for food packaging.

"There are biodegradable films out there but they can't be used for food packaging. We created the first- and second-generation packaging from new and different green materials that can be used for all kinds of food packaging."

The company's patent-pending polymer-based films can be formed using existing Form Fill Seal (FFS) machines into liquid-carrying pouches that are 100% biodegradable within 180 days of composting.

Tipa's films have high flexibility and durability, high resistance to oxygen and water vapour permeation and transparency, and is approved for contact with food.

Its biodegradable compounds can be produced using existing equipment for FFS, including casting, injection-moulding, thermoforming, heat sealing, coating, printing and aseptic/cold filling.

In addition, Tipa films require a lower soldering temperature compared with existing laminates, resulting in a lower carbon footprint from the manufacturing and filling processes.

Tipa's pouch designs include a hygienic cap that is also bio-degradable and opened by the end user on consumption. After usage the pouch can be discarded into a "wet garbage" container similar to containers into which discarded fruit peels are thrown.

Tipa has already won prizes for its innovative packaging - at Cleantech 2012 and Anuga Foodtec - and Nissenbaum is currently seeking a $3m to $5m investment to refine R&D and kickstart additional strategic partnerships.