Case Study - OSY Group

OSY Group is a Manchester-based company pioneering sustainable hygiene technologies for food packaging, healthcare and environmental applications.

Founded in 2020, the company develops antimicrobial coatings and shelf-life-extending solutions that reduce food waste and improve biosecurity.

OSY Group faced strategic and operational challenges in commercialising its food packaging technology, including the need for rigorous validation across produce types and compliance with strict food safety and environmental standards.

At the same time, the company had to prove its effectiveness through real-world trials, build partnerships with retailers and manufacturers, and adapt to complex international market requirements.

OSY Group was referred to Innovate UK Business Growth in October 2023 and received support as a High Growth client, which played a pivotal role in helping them overcome these challenges.

With support from Senior Innovation and Growth Specialist Andreas Juul Johansen, OSY Group has accelerated its innovation and commercial growth, completing R&D for soft fruits, stone fruits, and grapes, while advancing formulation work and regulatory compliance for a wider range of produce.

Their technology has launched in-store with a major UK supermarket and is undergoing trials with several others, both in the UK and internationally.

Participation in the Global Business Innovation Programme and Global Explorers Programme revealed strong demand in Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, and Hong Kong, leading to 22 confirmed trial programmes and strategic partnerships with packaging manufacturers in the UK, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.

OSY Group is now positioned for global scale-up, with a robust pipeline of projects and a growing reputation as a leader in sustainable hygiene technology.

Marc Braterman, CEO of OSY Group, said: "The support of Innovate UK Business Growth has genuinely been pivotal in achieving the critical milestones in our R&D journey, and the subsequent commercial traction with major retailers and packaging manufacturers.

"Our grant funding enabled the completion of various R&D workstreams at a pace that would not have been possible, whilst the selection in the GBIP and Global Explorers Programmes have opened up new markets in the likes of Australia, South Africa, and the Far East.

"Finally, a big thank you to Andreas, for the direct support he has and continues to give us since the beginning. We hope that Innovate UK Business Growth's support can become a key part of the future success of the company."