A Tri-State native and international entrepreneur is returning to his roots to launch his latest endeavor.
Andrew Bliss grew up in Anderson Township but spent the last two decades doing business abroad. Recently, he decided to launch Ecoshell LLC, a sustainable plastic alternative company, right across the river in Covington.
Ecoshell holds distribution and representation rights for GEX, the world’s only patented and eco-certified plastics-reducing eggshell-derived alternative to traditional plastics. The technology can reduce up to 50% of plastic in its applications, which include packaging, household items, consumer goods, containers, film rolls, bags and more. According to the startup, the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, cannabis and industrial industries could benefit most from this technology.
Products with GEX have a 70% reduction in carbon emissions compared with traditional plastics, according to the company.
Ecoshell is the Westernized version of Bliss’s international company, Spark Sourcing, which currently has offices Canada and Taiwan. The Ecoshell name was recently established due to its marketability in America.
Ecoshell’s materials are already in use across Asia by industry leaders such as Google, HP and Dell. The company is also in a testing process with several multinational organizations.
The technology was originally developed by Travis Lin about a decade ago. Bliss and Lin met in Taiwan through Bliss’s consulting company, which is also under the Spark Sourcing umbrella. At the time, his goal was to work with companies that were eying Western expansion.
“(Lin) is actually going to join my board over here to help us work on our own IP and our own patents here in America,” Bliss said.
According to Bliss, Lin will be the company’s tech adviser.
Bliss said to start, he plans on marketing the company’s resins and compounds to branding companies and manufacturers aiming to reduce their plastic usage and carbon footprint. He also will offer comprehensive original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and original design manufacturing (ODM) services for clients looking to develop their own sustainable products. Bliss said the goal is for Ecoshell to introduce its own line of branded eco-friendly products made from ocean-bound plastic and GEX eggshell material.
Bliss, a Turpin High School grad, decided to give the Cincinnati area a chance after a 20-year hiatus due to the region’s status as a top U.S. distribution and logistics center.
“It's one of the top places right now,” he told me.
Ohio is a major plastics producer for the Midwest and provides easy access to major manufacturers and potential clients like Procter & Gamble and Kroger. However, the Midwest wasn’t his first choice.
Initially, he was planning on setting up Ecoshell's North American headquarters in Canada but was shocked at how long it was taking. He decided to try his luck in his home country.
“The opportunity right now for plastic reduction in American is pretty spectacular,” Bliss said. “I have the perfect solution for it, so I’m going to come over here and capitalize on that.”
He added the region has a fast-growing entrepreneurial scene with high spirits.
“In all respects, it just made the most sense to stay here in Cincinnati because I have a network in place here, it’s easier for me to navigate the business culture … and Kentucky is ripe for green businesses," he said.
Bliss said he fell in love with Covington specifically because of its village and community feel, something he grew fond of over the years living in Taiwan.
Ecoshell is still looking to raise funds. According to Bliss, the rollout is in phase one of three. The goal from now through July 2025 is to establish the Ecoshell name and brand in the North American market, sell resins and compounds to brands and manufacturers, provide OEM/ODM services for clients and research and develop Ecoshell branded products.
Phase two is slated to run from July 2025 through the end of next year. This will include the selling of raw material and OEM/ODM, the start of Ecoshell products through partner factories, the start of development of an Ecoshell film-blowing factory and the development of a new material compound.
Phase three will start in July 2026. It is slated to begin with the sale of Ecoshell bags, mailers and bubble wrap through partner factories.
Bliss is currently running the company from his home in Covington. He is hiring for various positions.
