Coming from a family of packaging engineers and manufacturers and raised in the paper mill town of Old Town, Maine, the idea for better packaging first sparked when P3RD Founder, Ariadne Dimoula, was a kid swimming in the Penobscot River and saw fast food litter everywhere. P3RD.EARTH, based in Orono, develops innovative packaging solutions made from cellulose microfibers, a natural and renewable resource that breaks down naturally, leaving no harmful trace behind.
P3RD Founders Ariadne Dimoula (CEO) and Claudia Lowd (CTO)
P3RD’s core mission is to replace the top ten most prevalent plastic polluters in our oceans with ocean-safe, fish-friendly alternatives. P3RD is a material science R&D company commercializing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) tree-plastic packaging. Using a newly patented molding system of 100% MFC, this ocean-compostable, fish friendly (OCFF) packaging is currently formed into butter cups and straws. P3RD works at the intersection of marine science and pulp and paper engineering to make planet-healthy products. By innovating cellulose microfibers, a component of paper-making, P3RD will only create products that are better for our planet and its oceans, and will redesign mills with its safe and clean production processes. Their packaging biodegrades completely, keeping our oceans free of plastic debris that harms marine life and ecosystems.
P3RD sought matching MERC funds to improve their bookkeeping capabilities, help them make data-driven decisions and better understand sales patterns and opportunities. “At P3RD.EARTH, we believe that sustainable packaging solutions are essential for protecting our planet’s oceans. We’re grateful for the support of organizations like MTI/MERC in helping us achieve this mission.”