Santa Cruz, California – Cruz Foam has been named in Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024 in the Social Good Category. The pioneer in eco-friendly packaging solutions joins the winning ranks of Nvidia, YouTube, Taco Bell, and other trailblazers. This recognition upholds the company’s unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the packaging industry through cutting-edge sustainable solutions.
Cruz Foam’s remarkable journey from concept to market leader was driven by a singular purpose: to seamlessly integrate circular material technologies into existing supply chains. Originating from a groundbreaking research project at UC Santa Cruz, co-founders John Felts and Marco Rolandi set on a mission to combat the pervasive issue of single-use plastics. Their team’s steadfast pursuit of excellence has led to a new standard in sustainable packaging. Cruz Foam’s breakthrough products include Cruz Cool™ for cold chain logistics, EcoVino™ for wine and spirits, and Cruz Cush™, a fully customizable block & brace packaging solution.
In collaboration with Atlantic Packaging, Verve Coffee, Real Good Fish, and other partners, Cruz Foam continues to transform the $6.3 trillion e-commerce industry. The company’s superior technology not only ensures optimal conditions for insulation and cold chain logistics but also significantly impacts the environment. Its compostable foam packaging solution takes 103 days or less to biodegrade, much faster than expanded polystyrene’s lifespan of 500 years in nature. This creates a cycle of sustainability, turning waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer or biogas. Cruz Foam’s efforts are estimated to mitigate 17,000 tons of CO2 annually.
In a time when plastic pollution and waste management must be addressed urgently and comprehensively, Cruz Foam tackles the challenge head-on. Its solutions empower businesses to adopt more eco-conscious practices without compromising cost or performance. Cruz Foam’s essence is perfectly encapsulated in four words: innovation, impact, timeliness, and relevance. These are the four selection criteria of Fast Company, a premier magazine focused on technology, innovation, and design, which compiles the World’s Most Innovative Companies list annually.
Through a meticulous application process spanning the globe, Fast Company spotlights the top 50 businesses and institutions leading their fields in creativity and impact. Fast Company also recognizes a broader list of 606 organizations from 58 industries and every region in the world for their significant contributions to innovation.
To honor the awardees, Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala on May 16. The event will provide opportunities for industry leaders to share inspiring content, network at a creative black-tie gala, and enjoy a sit-down dinner. The highlight will be the presentation of winners who consistently push boundaries, inspire change, and drive progress across industries worldwide.
More than just an accolade, Cruz Foam’s inclusion in Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 is a passionate call for industries worldwide to embrace sustainability.
Partner with Cruz Foam to protect the things you ship and the earth we love. Let’s forge a brighter future together.
About Cruz Foam
Cruz Foam is a circular materials company that produces compostable protective packaging products and other eco-friendly solutions that offer a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic products. Cruz Foam’s patented products are circular in nature, using upcycled ingredients to create a compostable material using the existing supply chain and at a similar cost. Cruz Foam currently works with consumer-packaged goods, electronics, appliance, and durable goods companies. Cruz Foam is a mission-driven company that creates impact at scale by empowering industry leaders to be the catalyst for a cleaner environment. Cruz Foam is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California.
About Fast Company
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.
