2023-09-02 07:46:04
From flexible film to rigid meal delivery boxes, the start-up Notpla (for “not plastic”) has developed many solutions for which it received the Earthshot Prize in 2022. How? Using biomass that comes from stocks of seaweed harvested from the wild or grown on farms around the world.
Born in 2014 under the impetus of the Anglo-Spanish Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and the Frenchman Pierre Paslier, Notpla mainly uses red and brown algae, respectively from hot and cold waters. From one species to another, the chemical components vary, which makes it possible to provide different functionalities to the products. Ooho, an edible bubble can encapsulate liquids, replacing bottles and other plastic cups (or even cardboard, because the latter always contain a thin layer of plastic); 100% zero waste, it is eaten like the skin of a fruit. The small format, 23 milliliters, is the size of a cherry tomato: you put it in your mouth and the liquid is released, without aftertaste.
3 million plastic containers have been avoided thanks to Notpla. © DR
Notpla’s slogan “We make packaging disappear” takes on its full meaning here. Filled with an energy drink, its capsules have been a great success at major running events, to hydrate runners. 36,000 were distributed at the London Marathon in 2019 and 25,000 in Gothenburg (Sweden) last May. These magic bubbles also adapt to sachets of vinaigrette sauce, mayonnaise. A big step in the field of catering!
On a large scale, seaweed has the potential to be the most competitive packaging material on the market.
Pierre Paslier, co-founder of Notpla
Paris Match. How does the transformation of algae take place?
Pierre Paslier. Once harvested, they are washed and dried, followed by the extraction of the natural components necessary to obtain the properties required for our packaging solutions. Then Notpla’s technology comes into play. Many of our products use the same machines as for plastic containers, but for Ooho we have created unique and patented devices. Production takes place at our headquarters in London.
What’s next after this ad
This 0oho bubble can be used by athletes. The capsule breaks down in three to four weeks instead of a thousand years for plastic packaging. © DR
Are your packaging more expensive?
We manage to be almost aligned with other solutions, such as PLA or PHA bioplastics. Compared to traditional plastic packaging, yes. And that’s normal: we don’t yet produce similar volumes, and the plastics industry, which is over 100 years old, has benefited from billions of euros to develop. But we are confident: on a large scale, seaweed has the potential to be the most competitive packaging material on the market.
Will your items soon be on the French market?
We have several projects underway, including a collaboration with Decathlon for plastic-free sports products…
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