10109670Sustainable seaweed-based replacement for plastics in laundry productsClosedLaunchpadInnovate UKMercel Ltd are specialists in zero waste low energy seaweed material products and processes. We have developed a patented platform technology to create a seaweed cellulose nanomaterial which out-competes other nanocellulose sources and can be used as a replacement product for fossil-fuel based synthetic film binder ingredient used in the manufacture of personal, home care and laundry detergent products packed in concentrated form in water soluble sheets or film capsules. This project is concerned with the fossil fuel product Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) which is used as a binder for the active enzyme and detergent ingredients in these laundry formulations. These laundry products are marketed to meet consumer demand for sustainability by replacing laundry liquid detergents and plastic packaging to save weight and limit fossil fuel resources. However, there is a high consumer demand for plastic free products as well as packaging and this project will replace the PVOH with a sustainable binder derived from seaweed extract using Mercel's platform technology. For this project, Mercel will be working with a sub-contractor; developer and manufacturer of laundry products Blue Earth Clean Ltd, who are based in Fife and will test the new plastic-free formulations for efficacy, stability and ease of scale up manufacturing. The project will include joint commercialisation of the product with a swift and direct route to market. The results will also inform further development of related products containing PVOH as a binder. By the end of this project Mercel will be also be based in Fife and by providing the means to test and manufacture high demand laundry products at scale from seaweed waste material, this project will not only add sustainability and value for Scottish seaweed farmers and processors but also establish a manufacturing and R&D facility in Fife, creating and maintaining high value jobs in the area.