Visiting OIO alumni Planet Protector Group's world-class circular economy manufacturing facility
Written by Nick Chiarelli
Ocean Impact Organisation CEO Nick Chiarelli with Planet Protector Group (PPG) founder & CEO Joanne Horwarth at PPG’s Melbourne facility
On a recent trip to Melbourne for the 3rd annual Climate Investor Forum, I had the pleasure of visiting the recently opened manufacturing facility of our friends Planet Protector Group (previously Planet Protector Packaging).
The visit to Planet Protector Group's (PPG) new facility was especially rewarding, given that Planet Protector Group were the first startup we “celebrated” as the inaugural winner of the Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2020.
I wanted to take this opportunity to share how proud I am of PPG’s founder and CEO, Joanne Howarth, and the entire team, and to share some insights into this fantastic organisation's recent growth and future opportunities, including how you can get involved.
TLDR:
PPG have seized the opportunity to develop sovereign manufacturing capability, developing a world-class circular economy processing facility in Melbourne
PPG have diversified from EPS alternatives, to broader insulation solutions and circular resources to reduce fossil-fuel dependence
Despite enormous accolades, funding for innovative startups like Planet Protector that go “above and beyond” to solve global challenges with local solutions remains the biggest barrier to success - and impact
To recap, you may recall that PPG were celebrated as the Pitchfest 2020 Winner, with their focus on eliminating expanded polystyrene packaging (EPS) from cold supply chains with their innovative “WOOLPACK” technology. Ever agile to opportunities, the team quickly innovated during the Covid-19 pandemic to develop “Vaccine Protector” that supported the distribution of vaccines throughout Australia and NZ.
Joanne with OIO co-founders Tim Silverwood & Nick Chiarelli after PPG won the inaugural Ocean Impact Pitchfest in 2020
2021 saw supply chain disruptions that threatened PPG’s supply for wool fibre and accelerated the pursuit of sovereign capability to process fibres in Australia. Underlining this was the sad reality that globalisation and offshoring of industries meant Australia no longer processed the wool needed for PPG’s products. Enter Jo, and her bold mission to bring wool processing back to Australia, and to unlock a wealth of potential for circular economy fibre solutions.
“Interesting fact: Australia is the world’s largest wool producer, supplying 25% of global supply or 345 million kg/yr!”
The determination, tenacity and perseverance that Jo and the team at PPG have endured to successfully fund, develop and recently open their new processing facility in Melbourne, is incredibly impressive. A successful $11M Series A raise (including investments from the Minderoo Foundation, the Victorian Government and Trawalla Group) and a matched funding $4.8M grant from the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Fund (MMF) has contributed to this enormous milestone, but make no mistake about it, it’s Jo’s enduring commitment to the business and her passion for positive change that’s fuelled the fire.
I was blown away during my tour of PPG’s state-of-the-art non-woven fibre processing line in Melbourne, and witnessing the enormous potential of their diversification of products and materials to encompass landfill-bound wool, denim, recycled polyester and post-consumer textiles. I was witnessing the circular economy in action, and the tremendous fruits of one person’s labour to reestablish an exported industry and ignite domestic productivity, to shape a “future made in Australia”.
Far right: Dr Veena Sahajwalla (Director, SMaRT@UNSW), with Joanne, Nick, and some of the PPG team
Here’s what Jo had to say when I asked her to recount the journey in building PPG, and the recent evolutions in the business.
“When I founded Planet Protector Packaging in 2016, my mission was singular and urgent: to eliminate expanded polystyrene from the cold chain by harnessing the power of nature’s own insulator—wool. Circular by design and regenerative by nature, WOOLPACK, redefined thermal performance in food and pharmaceutical logistics, winning global acclaim and proving that regenerative, high-performing alternatives could replace plastic pollution at scale.
But the deeper we went, the more I realised—this wasn’t just about packaging. It was about rethinking our entire relationship with waste and redesigning systems for circularity from the ground up.
Joanne speaking at Climate Investor Forum 2025. Credit: Climate Investor Forum
In Australia, the building and construction sector alone accounts for 65% of all EPS use. Yet mainstream insulation materials like glasswool and fibreglass are fossil-fuel-derived, difficult to recycle, and destined for landfill. It became clear that the problem—and the opportunity—was much bigger.
That’s why we’ve evolved into Planet Protector Group (PPG)—a broader circular economy business leading the transition to regenerative insulation across industries.
While our roots remain in packaging, our ambition has expanded. We now process not just waste wool, but also landfill-bound denim, recycled polyester, and post-consumer building insulation and textiles. These materials are transformed into high-quality insulation, acoustic panels and geotextiles at our state-of-the-art facility—the most advanced of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. We’re closing the loop by turning waste into resource, supporting sustainable buildings and driving a circular economy.
We no longer simply distribute product—we own our manufacturing capability, we are closing the loop, and we’re monetising waste streams to fuel a circular economy. This next chapter positions PPG as a force in sustainable insulation—we’re eliminating reliance on fossil fuel-derived products, rebuilding Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and addressing climate change head-on. “
Planet Protector Group’s manufacturing facility in Altona, Victoria
Building on the success of the commissioning of their Melbourne facility, Planet Protector Group is now preparing for a Series B capital raise of $10 million. This next round will enable PPG to scale production, expand product lines, and fund international growth initiatives. With demand for regenerative insulation accelerating across sectors—from pharmaceutical packaging to sustainable construction—this capital will help PPG cement its position as a global leader in circular economy manufacturing. The raise will also support further development of their textile recycling capabilities and unlock new pharmaceutical packaging opportunities across India and South East Asia.
Call to action:
As the world transitions away from fossil fuel-derived materials, Planet Protector Group stands at the ready to partner with forward-thinking organisations. Whether you’re an impact investor, a pharmaceutical company seeking sustainable insulated packaging or a construction company looking to specify high-performing, regenerative natural building insulation—their solutions are engineered to deliver on both performance and sustainability. PPG invite you to visit their new state-of-the-art facility to explore how their solutions can help you achieve your ESG goals while delivering superior performance.
I encourage my peers to follow the great work being done by Joanne Howarth and Planet Protector on LinkedIn and to reach out to me should they have any questions or wish to be connected to the team for opportunities.
Watch Planet Protector’s brilliant video on their Altona manufacturing facility and how they’re leading the “Circular Revolution”
