From early dry-forming R&D in Varberg to Yangi’s U.S. expansion
Yangi’s entry into the U.S. market is an important milestone for the company and a strong example of how early-stage innovation can grow into industrial-scale technology.
For The Loop Factory, the story is especially meaningful because part of Yangi’s development started here in Varberg.
How the journey began
The roots of the story go back to when The Loop Factory founder Anna Altner came across dry-forming technology almost by chance in a potato shed in Denmark.
The technology itself was not new, but Anna saw potential to develop it further for fibre-based applications. She brought the idea and a machine back to Sweden, where she founded The Loop Factory to continue experimenting with the technology and building knowledge around fibres, materials and forming processes.
Over several years, the work focused on understanding how the technology could perform in practice. This included material development, testing different fibre combinations, exploring process conditions and building the technical know-how needed to move from an interesting concept towards a more robust industrial opportunity.
That early-stage work became an important part of the foundation for what later became Yangi.
Building the knowledge needed to scale
In the early years, The Loop Factory’s role was not to create a finished machine or commercial product. It was to reduce uncertainty around the technology and build the knowledge needed to understand what could work at larger scale.
This is where early innovation work can become business-critical.
By testing materials, processes and technical assumptions before major investments are made, companies can identify opportunities faster, avoid costly development paths and make better decisions about what is ready to move forward.
In 2018, Yangi took over the continued development in a separate company, also founded by Anna Altner, with a clear focus on industrialising and commercialising dry-forming technology.
Now, Yangi is taking the next major step by entering the U.S. market with Cellera®, its dry-forming platform for fibre-based packaging.
What this means for The Loop Factory today
Yangi’s journey is a good example of the role The Loop Factory continues to play for companies developing sustainable materials, products and technologies.
We support innovation where the path forward is not yet fully defined. That can involve material development, process testing, prototyping, technical validation and demonstration at larger scale.
Our strength lies in combining material science, practical test and demonstration capabilities and an entrepreneurial way of working. Our goal is to help companies build the knowledge and evidence they need to move from early-stage ideas to pilot, production, and commercial scale.
That can mean reducing technical risk, speeding up development or helping a company understand whether an idea is worth investing in before committing to the next step.
Yangi is one example of what that journey can become.
We are proud that part of its story started here in Varberg, and even prouder to see the Yangi team take Cellera® into the U.S. market. Congratulations to Anna and the entire Yangi team on this important milestone.
Read more on Yangi's website: https://www.yangi.se/news/yangi-brings-its-dry-forming-technology-cellera-to-us-converters