2M Sustainable Packaging Technologies has been awarded an Innovate UK SMART Grant to develop FlexSea’s biomaterial derived from red seaweed, aiming to introduce a circular packaging solution for the personal care industry.
The initiative aims to provide skincare brands with a fully recyclable and compostable alternative to traditional fossil-based plastic packaging. Partnering with the University of Warwick (WMG) to utilize its engineering and plastic processing, Sustainable Packaging Technologies plans to commercialize FlexSea’s seaweed biopolymer material.
The project also involves other members within the 2M Group of Companies, including Surfachem and Crafted. Sustainable Packaging Technologies says that due to seaweed’s high nitrogen content, FlexSea’s material is believed to enrich soil health during natural decomposition. Depending on the thickness of the final part, the home compostable material is said to biodegrade within weeks in both marine and terrestrial environments, leaving no harmful residues.
Apparently, the material’s production requires no strong chemicals or high temperatures over 150ºC, and uses renewable ingredients, producing only water vapour as a by product. The grant follows the launch of Sustainable Packaging Technologies under the 2M Group in June 2024. As an intermediary between R&D material science companies, converters, and brands, the business collaborates with SMEs like FlexSea to develop custom bio-based technology solutions tailored to their specific packaging needs.
PA Consulting and Searo Labs unveiled seaweed based packaging in August hoping to reduce the global consumption of plastics, single-use packaging, and PFAS within the food, personal care, and home care sectors. Searo’s materials are reportedly home compostable, safe for food contact, and heat sealable.
Last month, Citizens of Soil launched single-serve extra virgin olive pipettes packaged in Notpla’s seaweed based material, a reported UK market ‘first’. The pipettes are said to be 100% natural, biodegradable, home compostable, vegan, and even edible.
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