This startup turns food waste into nontoxic clingwrap (and more)

Summary:

• Singapore-based startup N&E Innovations is tackling the interconnected problems of food waste and the use of toxic chemicals in food packaging.
• Its core technology, ViKang, is an edible, natural food-grade solution that can be integrated into products like cling wrap and vacuum bags.
• N&E Innovations emerged as the winner of the 2025 Startup Arena Pitch Battle, held annually at Tech in Asia Conference, highlighting the potential of its core tech.
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Not-so-fun fact: Toxic substances approved for food contact in packaging, kitchenware or food processing equipment have been found in human hair, blood, and breast milk, according to recent research. Many of these chemicals are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other serious health issues.

While humans may be exposed to these chemicals in other ways, it doesn’t change the fact that we may be unknowingly consuming toxins on the daily. However, it’s almost impossible to eliminate your exposure, and any change will require huge amounts of regulation, effort, and money.

N&E Innovations is taking the first steps towards making this change, creating an antimicrobial formula that could replace these chemicals in food packaging, cleaning supplies, and beyond.

Didi Gan, co-founder and CEO of N&E Innovations / Photo credit: Tech in Asia

The Singapore-based company competed in the 2025 edition of Tech in Asia’s annual Startup Arena Pitch Battle, held at the TIA Conference in Jakarta. It emerged as champion after a fierce battle against five other contestants, wowing the audience and the judges with its innovative solution and engaging pitch.

Tech in Asia sat down with Didi Gan, N&E Innovations’ co-founder and CEO, to learn more about the company and its journey to the 2025 Startup Arena Pitch Battle.

What does your company do and what problem does it aim to solve?

We’re a biotech company turning agriculture waste into a patented antimicrobial powder to replace toxic chemicals used in the cleaning, hygiene, and food sectors.

Our technology, ViKang, powers our two-in-one sustainable and antibacterial food packaging products like clingwraps and vacuum bags. It naturally kills bacteria and extends food shelf life by up to three times without using toxic silver metals, chemicals or harsh preservatives.

We address two of the most overlooked problems in the world: the overuse of toxic chemicals used in the food industry and the massive food waste crisis. Our mission is to use food waste to reduce food waste, from upstream farms and food producers to downstream supply chain and retail packaging.

What inspired you to start N&E Innovations?

It began with a simple but urgent question: Why do we still rely on toxic chemicals to keep our health, food and surfaces safe when nature already has safer, more powerful solutions?

Didi Gan (right) with her co-founder, Jaslyn Lee / Photo credit: N&E Innovations

I have a background in biomedical engineering while my co-founder, Jaslyn Lee, is an experienced researcher focused on food waste valorization. Together, we developed a food-grade, edible, and 100% natural antimicrobial technology that protects both people and the planet.

We have since commercialized our tech into three different sectors and scaled into five countries.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

One of our biggest struggles was bridging the gap between science and market adoption.

Convincing large manufacturers to switch from cheap, synthetic chemicals to natural alternatives required not just strong data, but education, trust, and pilot results.

Food waste and spoilage are also accepted as part of “business as usual,” and changing the way suppliers and buyers view this problem requires time and concrete data on how these technologies can benefit them as well.

What milestones or achievements are you the most proud of?

We’ve patented our ViKang technology globally and got our Europe certifications.

We’ve had successful pilots and contracts with major regional partners in food packaging, hospitality, and agriculture like Sodexo Group, RWS Genting, and more across Singapore, Malaysia, and ASEAN.

Gan at Tech in Asia Conference 2025 / Photo credit: Tech in Asia

Winning Tech in Asia’s 2025 Startup Arena was also a great recognition of our impact at the intersection of biotechnology and sustainability.

Why did join Startup Arena 2025? How do you feel about winning?

Startup Arena is one of the best-known hotbeds of startup innovations globally. We joined the arena because we wanted to put our technology to the test and show the world what upcycled food waste can do.

Tech in Asia also brings together some of the most active investors, corporates, and founders in Southeast Asia. We saw it as the perfect stage to showcase how a biotech startup like ours could resonate beyond the lab and to find partners for our series A fundraising.

Gan with the judges and other finalists / Photo credit: Tech in Asia

I feel very honored. As a female founder in tech, I think this win signifies and amplifies what we do. Nothing would have been possible without our team – I thank them for all their hard work, the late nights, the crazy, constant stuff that we’ve had to do on a day-to-day basis to make everything possible.

How has participating in Startup Arena shaped your perspective or plans?

Startup Arena reinforced one key idea: Deeptech needs storytelling as much as science. The response we received showed that investors and consumers are ready for solutions that are both sustainable and scalable.

Our mentor, Michael Blakey from Cocoon Capital, was also great at providing advice on our storytelling and deck materials and how we can accelerate our series A process.

Any advice you’d like to share with other founders in Southeast Asia?

Have a relentless focus on adoption, results, and what you learn from customers. And as a Singapore startup, remember that the world is your oyster! It’s never too early or too late to expand into new markets.

N&E Innovations is the winner of Startup Arena 2025, the most recent edition of Tech in Asia’s annual startup pitching competition. Startup Arena is a part of Tech in Asia Conference, which aims to bring together leaders, founders, and innovators to explore the future of Asia’s tech ecosystem.

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This content was produced by Tech in Asia Studios, which connects brands with Asia’s tech community. Learn more about partnering with Tech in Asia Studios.