Edible food packaging made from kelp replaces single use plastics

The compostable materials are created from sustainably-sourced farmed seaweed

Spotted: Using green manufacturing processes and renewably sourced biomaterials, Norway’s material science company B’ZEOS is working with global corporations to replace single use plastics with seaweed-based alternatives. B’ZEOS stands for bio-based, zero waste, edible, marine origin, and soluble, and that is what the company produces – human food grade quality edible materials made from farmed kelp.

The company’s first product was an edible drinking straw. Its line of alternative packaging has since expanded thanks to partnerships with Nestle and Spanish plastic manufacturer Aitiip. It has also received an EU-funded grant from Plastisea that supports the development of bioplastics made from cultivated algae.

Seaweed does not require any fertilisation, pesticides or fresh water – which is what makes it such an attractive alternative to other, land-grown, crop-based biomaterials. Seaweed is also incredibly effective at sequestering carbon while it grows, meaning that large-scale farming of the plant provides environmental benefits.

B’ZEOS’s production processes do not use any toxic chemicals, and the formula for each type of packaging depends on the final use. The company invites businesses to get in touch with ideas for collaboration.

Seaweed’s environmental credentials and its edibility are making the plant an increasingly attractive material to businesses in many industries. As well as other seaweed-based packaging innovations, Springwise has spotted means of developing production in order to scale up worldwide farming capabilities.