“The push towards elimination of petroleum plastic from the food chain across Europe has created a void in the market,” CEO Dr Cait Murray-Green says. “This allowed us to create a food contact material which is anti-microbial, biodegradable and compostable and for this to be a first to market in the bioplastic food wrapping sector.”
The company also produces salmon feed from processing byproducts. “We are searching for and establishing relationships with Scottish companies in the food and drink sector,” Murray-Green adds. “That is key to taking CuanTec forward. It is a true circular economy example, as our suppliers can also be our customers.”
According to The National, the UK seafood industry loses £2 billion annually to food waste and spoilage. CuanTec’s bioplastic won the company the £150,000 Higgs Edge award last week.