Cruz Foam

Cruz Foam is a circular materials technology company that develops sustainable, compostable alternatives to petroleum-based plastic foams like expanded polystyrene (EPS). Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, the company utilizes a proprietary platform to transform biopolymers, such as chitin from upcycled seafood waste, into high-performance structural foams. Its product portfolio includes Cruz Cool for cold-chain shipping, EcoVino for wine and spirits, and Cruz Cush for protective cushioning, serving industries ranging from electronics to pharmaceuticals. Cruz Foam's materials are designed to be "earth-digestible," breaking down in industrial compost within weeks while maintaining mechanical and thermal properties comparable to traditional plastics. The company partners with existing manufacturing converters to scale its solutions globally without requiring new infrastructure.