# 227 - Drink Plink is a GAME CHANGER! Luke Montgomery-Smith, CEO

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2023-11-22
- Length: 34m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer

## Summary

Luke Montgomery-Smith, co-founder of Plink, explains how his company uses effervescent tablet technology to create a beverage with 99% less packaging and 98% fewer CO2 emissions than traditional bottled drinks. He details the significant challenge of finding contract manufacturers willing to move away from standard plastic tubes, which are required for the high barrier properties needed to protect volatile tablets from moisture and oxygen. Plink currently uses aluminum foil with an LDPE liner, a solution that is recyclable in Europe but not in the US, while the industry awaits non-plastic alternatives with sufficient barrier performance.

## Chapters

- [0:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=38) Introduction: Luke Montgomery-Smith and Plink
- [3:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=185) Founding Plink and Product Development
- [14:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=847) Water Quality and Taste Considerations
- [18:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=1094) Packaging Challenges: Plastic Tubes and Barrier Properties
- [24:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=1440) Aluminum Tubes and Future Material Innovation
- [31:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-22-227-drink-plink-is-a-game-changer-luke-montgomery-smith-ceo#t=1887) Purchasing Plink and Contact Information

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Plink (product)
- Specright (tool)
- Meyers (company)
- Deciphr.ai (other)
- Liquid I.V. (product)
- Nuun (product)
- Nestle (company)
- Cura (company)
- Green Mountain Coffee (company)
- 7th Generation (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Building the Rails to Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles with Manuela Zoninsein, CEO and Founder at Kadeya](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-04-27-building-the-rails-to-eliminate-single-use-plastic-water-bottles-with-manuela-zo) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Founder Feature: Max Luthy of Plink!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-18-founder-feature-max-luthy-of-plink) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [40: Agglomerated Cork](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2018-08-03-40-agglomerated-cork) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Spindrift: Bill Creelman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-01-13-spindrift-bill-creelman) (How I Built This)
- [Looking on the Starryside with co-founders Liz Seelye & Erin Fasano](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-04-12-looking-on-the-starryside-with-co-founders-liz-seelye-erin-fasano) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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