Research & Development for Vracoop

Vracoop was created to provide solutions which facilitate the sale of bulk products and reduce packaging waste; the company is now backed by the Basque Country Technology Park Business Generator in Saint-Jean-De-Luz to lead research and development studies on eco-friendly materials. 

Vracoop was set up by Sébastien Lefond in 2017. It is now based at the Izarbel Business Generator. In the same year, it became a Basque Country Urban Authority “Innovation workshop” call for projects winner. The young company won the award for its project to develop solutions which avoid packaging waste.

Today, Vracoop has four members and their project consists of three operational solutions:

• A check-out system used like a conventional payment system with all the usual store management features, but which enables customers to come with their own containers thanks to a smart labelling system. The solution has been implemented in 115 grocery stores in France and Belgium which will avoid 30 tonnes of packaging waste.
• 100% recyclable and compostable, eco-designed hoppers with 10-litre capacity for bulk dry grains. This type of hopper reduces the weight of plastic used in standard containers ten-fold. It should be noted that the self-supporting system does away with the need for support furniture for the hoppers.
• Development of a mobile application enabling consumers to scan their container’s label to retrieve information on their latest purchase (legal information, allergens, and practical advice, etc.) The information is updated when the latest purchase is scanned.

At the beginning of October, the Vracoop team set up at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Business Generator. The goal is to develop research and development studies on materials for the hopper and its version with plate/tray. 

Find out more at:vracoop.fr