Startup Bioplaster Research converts beach blight into bioplastic
In Mexico, Bioplaster Research is converting sargassum algae—an invasive species that has become a frequent headache for the Caribbean’s tourist hotspots—into bioplastics. The startup is developing sargassum-based alternatives to polystyrene foam for impact protection, polypropylene mailer bags and plastic stretch wrap, along with biomaterials for textile applications.
The company’s origins date to late 2019, when CEO Bonilla Brunner was pursuing her doctorate at the University of Oxford and developing algae-based biomaterials for medical applications, including tissue engineering.
In 2022, the company raised its first venture capital funding. Currently, the company is building capacity in Mérida, Yucatán, where it also operates its laboratory. Brunner expects to commercialize its first products by year end.
“Our materials are significantly more resistant to puncture, tearing, and water. They can also be transparent, which is a vital requirement for packaging items like clothing,” Brunner told Mexico Daily Post.
Category: Chemicals & Materials
