Boomerang is now in the seed phase: "We are currently focusing on pilots in the B2B environment such as intralogistics shipments, exchanges between department stores, click and collect, store or technician deliveries." The Breuninger fashion chain, for instance, works with Boomerang in the click and collect area. Clothing ordered online is sent to shops in Boomerang's blue and orange returnable boxes for customers. The WMF kitchen appliance manufacturer also sends pots, coffee percolators, crockery and other items from its main warehouse to its shops in Boomerang boxes. One shop in Hamburg is taking part in the test run. Engelmann pointed out: "We have visited the place many times already and looked at the procedures on site. The bottom line is that the frequent use of our boxes is far more cost-effective than using a new box every time."
Single-use boxes and bags used in online retail are leading to mounds of waste amid unabated consumer demand. The Ahrensburg-based Boomerang startup in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region is the exception and is tackling this situation with packaging that can be reused up to 50 times. Packets and boxes are made from recycled plastic to conserve raw materials. "We have raised around €3 million from investors, including private individuals, business angels, state banks and logistics companies," said Marc Engelmann, founder of Boomerang, which was set up in 2021.
Breuninger and WMF relying on Boomerang
Online retail: returns via letterbox
When shopping online, a customer can select the reusable packaging and pay a deposit. When the goods arrive, the recipient simply folds the packaging to size A4 and puts the packet in a letter box. The packet is returned to Boomerang using a return label, where it is cleaned and put back into circulation. The startup also refunds the deposit. Returns are also possible. Thanks to Boomerang's digital deposit system with return options, the boxes and packets are thus an option for online retailers.
Reusable idea wins German Sustainability Award
The idea has met with great enthusiasm in the industry. In 2023, Boomerang won the German Packaging Award followed by the German Sustainability Award in 2024. itself. Earlier this year, it scooped the Sustainable Impact Award presented by the Wirtschaftswoche magazine. Sustainability is gaining importance in online retail as reusable solutions are definitely environment-friendlier and have other advantages, a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI has found. Yet, this prerequisites a sufficient circulation rate: "Customer acceptance is very important in this respect. They must be prepared to pay the additional costs that arise mainly from returns for reusable shipping packaging."
Boomerang eyeing growth in 2026
Growth is next on Boomerang's agenda in 2026. Engelmann stressed: "In the best-case scenario, the implementation and scaling of the pilot projects should have a significant impact on other large companies in 2026. At the end of the day, we are talking about hundreds of thousands or millions of items of disposable packaging that could be replaced by Boomerang." The choice of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region was definitely a good idea. "We are particularly excited by Hamburg's strength in the logistics sector. That gives us excellent connections to key players and we benefit vastly from this expertise. Many of our investors also come from the region."
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