#19 Notpla

The seaweed revolution in sustainable packaging

Read time: 5 minutes

Hi, I’m Javi Gascón.

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Today we’ll distill a company that’s uninventing plastic with seaweed: Fast-growing, carbon-sequestering, eco-friendly packaging. Notpla ????

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What Problem Does Notpla Tackle?

Notpla tackles the massive problem of plastic pollution, particularly focusing on single-use plastics. How big of a problem is this?

1. Plastic Production and Waste: Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced, with 79% still in landfills or the natural environment. More than 90% of plastic pollution comes from single-use products.

2. Environmental Impact: At least 14 million tons of plastic end up in oceans annually, and when plastics break down, they form microplastics that contaminate soil, waterways, and the food chain.

3. Health and Ecological Risks: Microplastics are ingested by animals and humans, leading to potential health risks. Terrestrial microplastic pollution is estimated to be four to 23 times higher than marine microplastic pollution.

4. CO2 Emissions: Production of single-use plastics generates 1.7-3.5 tons of CO2 per ton of plastic, using 8% of global oil for manufacturing and raw materials. Transportation, distribution and disposal through landfills and incineration releases additional greenhouse gases. The total impact in 2019 was over 850 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, equivalent to 189 large coal power plants.

Plastic is an excellent material (cheap, durable, safe, etc.), but we need alternatives that are just as good without the pollution part.

Product / Service ??

That’s where Notpla comes in! They sell biodegradable packaging solutions made from natural materials, primarily alginate extracted from brown seaweed. Key benefits?

Biodegradable and Compostable: Packaging breaks down in home compost within 4-6 weeks, eliminating the risk of microplastic pollution and long-lasting waste in landfills.

Sustainable Production: The seaweed used grows quickly without needing freshwater, fertilizers, or arable land, reducing resource drain and supporting the marine ecosystem

Versatile and Efficient: The packaging fits into existing operations and machinery, making it easy to integrate and scale up. It is suitable for various applications, including food containers, liquid sachets, and other disposable items.

Environmental Impact: The products help combat climate change through carbon sequestration (in the seaweed) and reduced plastic production and waste.

Market ??

The biodegradable plastics market is set to grow at a CAGR of 17.45% for the next ten years. Think about all the regulations and consumer pressure worldwide.

Notpla is especially well positioned because they are the first and only company to be officially recognized as producing truly plastic-free material under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Other Key Players

Sway ????: They also develop seaweed-based, home-compostable packaging solutions to replace conventional plastics.

Ecovative ????: Specializes in mycelium-based packaging, using mushroom roots to create biodegradable and compostable materials as alternatives to traditional plastic foams.

Solutum ????: Their composite material of readily available polymers, copolymers, and nonpolymeric materials can be adapted to achieve specific properties.

Founding Story ??

Notpla was founded in 2014 by Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Pierre Paslier, who met while studying Innovation Design Engineering in London. The idea for Notpla emerged from their master’s program, where they began prototyping sustainable packaging solutions in their kitchen. They aimed to replace single-use plastic packaging with materials abundant in nature, specifically seaweed.

They started by developing "Ooho," edible liquid bubbles made from seaweed extracts, which served as a proof of concept for their innovative approach. Supported by Imperial’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Notpla grew to become a leading company in sustainable seaweed-based packaging.

In 2022 they won the Earthshot Prize, they’ve raised $47.47M to date, and they have global clients like Just Eat and UEFA.

Top Impact Stats ??

1. Over 16 million single-use plastic items replaced in Europe by 2024. The goal is 100 million by the end of 2026.

2. Notpla's products have 90% less shadow cost compared to conventional plastic. That refers to the total lifetime environmental and societal cost of a material.

3. Seaweed used by Notpla captures carbon twenty times faster than trees, and if cultivated across just 9% of the world’s oceans, it could remove global yearly greenhouse gas emissions every single year.

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