Just Eat: Introducing Plant Protein Packaging in Europe

One of the world's largest online food delivery platforms, Just Eat Takeaway.com, is set to launch sustainable packaging across multiple European markets.

The initiative, developed alongside sustainable packaging provider Huhtamaki, will utilise Xampla's Morro Coating technology.

The innovation will see takeaway boxes coated with plant protein, marking a first for the industry.

Just Eat Takeaway.com plans to introduce its plastic-free takeaway boxes across 10 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Spain.

The Morro Coating, created by UK materials technology company Xampla, consists of natural plant proteins without chemical modifications. This could offer the food delivery sector a high-performance, plastic-free solution to replace the plastic coatings found in conventional takeaway packaging.

The boxes feature sustainably sourced corrugated paper, are fully recyclable and comply with the Single Use Plastic Directive.

Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, says: “Europe is moving fast on packaging regulation and the demand for materials that can genuinely replace plastic has never been stronger. There is real regulatory clarity across these markets, strong environmental ambition and a willingness to adopt new materials when they work.

“For us, this expansion is about scale. We have proven Morro Coating works; now we are rolling it out across 10 European markets through one of the continent’s largest food delivery platforms.

“If we want to replace plastic, we have to do it in high-volume, high-performance applications like food delivery. This rollout shows that natural materials can compete and win, in exactly those environments.”

Addressing the plastic pollution crisis

Global plastic waste production reaches 400 million tonnes annually, with approximately one-third originating from the food and beverage sector.

Xampla states that its Morro materials are designed to leave nothing harmful behind, potentially avoiding negative environmental impact. The company's objective is to harness the power of plants to create natural materials with transformative potential.

Its Morro materials serve as natural alternatives to plastics, developed specifically to tackle the plastic pollution crisis and eliminate some of the world's most polluting plastics.

The boxes, manufactured by Huhtamaki, are engineered to perform across diverse foods and cuisines. The packaging is designed to maintain rigidity and heat retention when containing greasy or moist dishes, which have traditionally presented challenges for effective plastic-free packaging.

Supporting partners towards sustainability

Just Eat's sustainability efforts include supporting partners in transitioning to more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. The company aims to tackle plastic pollution within the on-demand delivery industry through collaborative solutions.

The new packaging rollout expands the company's sustainable packaging range, offering restaurant partners across Europe the option to select plastic-free alternatives for a broader variety of dishes.

Morro Coating has received verification as plastic-free from the National Physical Laboratory, making it the only food packaging coating to hold this accreditation.

According to Xampla, the coating demonstrates proven compatibility with existing recycling streams, potentially helping brands navigate the evolving regulatory landscape across the continent. Unlike traditional plastic coatings, the paperboard packaging with Morro Coating can be processed through established waste streams without requiring separation.

The launch of the new packaging will provide restaurant partners with regulatory-compliant packaging that could deliver on performance. 

A spokesperson for Just Eat Takeaway.com says: "We're excited to be partnering with innovative companies that share our vision of eliminating single-use plastic waste and making responsible choices that create value for our partners and consumers.

“Expanding our collaboration with Xampla marks a significant milestone in accelerating the adoption of plastic-free packaging across the on-demand delivery industry.”