Sustainable packaging soon to be made from seaweed

The new, non-polluting biomaterials that are being developed are designed to replace the traditional plastic coatings used in greaseproof fast food packaging.

Image credit: secretlondon123 on Flickr
(CC BY-SA 2.0)

Grease-resistant paper is usually coated with plastic and other environmentally harmful chemicals, such as polyfluoroalkyl materials (PFASs). However, according to a press release from Flinders University, 'the new modular coatings meet the functional requirements of traditional grease-resistant packaging materials while also offering an environmentally circular solution' and 'represent a milestone in the creation of the next generation sustainable and environmentally responsible biopolymer.' 

'We are able to reduce harmful plastic pollution by using this product, and we also use raw materials that are environmentally renewable,' says Claire Jusco, co-founder, in a press release. 

Seaweed cultivation helps to naturally rehabilitate marine environments, reduce greenhouse gases, and mitigate coastal erosion. 'It is important for us to use sustainable inputs upstream to ensure that our products are environmentally safe, from cradle to grave,' she adds. 

The development – which took extracts from some seaweeds, additional modifications and formed biodegradable bioplastic films – was led by Dr Zhongfan Jia, Principal Investigator from the Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and Research Fellow Peng Su jointly with the Flinders Center for Marine Bioproduct Development. 

'Seaweed extracts have a similar structure to the natural fibers that paper is made of,' says Dr. Jia. 'Our new specialised treatments enhance the grease resistance of seaweed through simple modifications while not affecting the biodegradability or recycling of coated paper.' 

The biomass of the new coating's formulation consists of natural polymers extracted from seaweed that is native to the coast of South Australia – which provided a major reason why Flinders University researchers have studied it for broader scientific application. These extracts are transformed through a proprietary processing methodology to produce functional biopolymer sheets that can be cut or laminated to various surfaces, depending on the application. 

Flinders University and Fife Point are now moving lab-scale processing to produce industry-relevant volumes of natural polymer coatings.

This initiative aims to make a transformative impact on the global packaging and plastics industry by significantly reducing reliance on highly polluting traditional plastics.

For more information about Flinders University visit the website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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