In London, a startup is converting polysaccharides in seaweed into bioplastics for packaging. Searo tells Food-Navigator Europe that its material extends the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables and is compostable.
“We’re working to make sure that everything we make breaks down very rapidly,” says co-CEO Francis Field. Early applications include “really big offenders” to plastic waste and a focus on simple performance requirements. Such products include flow wraps, punnets, and single-use cups.
The seaweed is sourced from Tunisia and harvested by France’s SELT Martine Group. Searo is currently operating production trials with partners and hopes to launch its first products by year end.