10059907IFF CoPack: In-flight Flexible Film Consumer PackagingClosedCollaborative R&DISCFDespite the amazing benefits offered by plastics when used for suitable products, single-use applications without appropriate handling at end of life, have negative impacts for humans and for the planet. Being derived from finite fossil-based materials, single-use plastics should be replaced with sustainable alternatives that fit with the product’s lifecycle. Due to the single-use plastics (SUP) packaging ban and restrictions, many manufacturers and retailers have moved to paper products lined with plastic to comply with the plastic reduction targets. However, plastic lined or coated multi-laminate paper food packaging causes difficulties for paper mills and still uses plastics. MarinaTex Coating (MTC) is not just another bioplastic but a material solution that has multiple End-of-Life (EOL) options including composting and recycling, with the potential to improve AD facilities, add value to seafood waste and enrich soils, whilst aligning better with the product's lifecycle. The biopolymer coating is made from seaweed and seafood waste otherwise destined for energy-intensive post-processing, or incineration. The waste is obtained from UK fish suppliers and is subject to low-temperature processing under 80 degrees. Unlike plastic processing, the MarinaTex biopolymer will be prepared at ambient temperatures, with low solid concentrations and without harmful solvents. The MarinaTex coating will be adapted for an existing industry manufacturing line to assess scalability. Due to the final product's universality, it will be highly adaptable for many sectors and using a waste product with low energy-intensive process, will keep costs competitive. EOL tests will be conducted and external experts in carbon analysis will complete a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) to understand product impact throughout its lifecycle. The successful development of polysaccharide-based coatings will provide an innovative solution to plastic waste, reducing microplastic pollution and the associated carbon emissions compared to biogenic carbon materials. Such strategies provide incalculable returns on investment throughout the economy. Tackling plastic waste at source propagates public health benefits, including reducing healthcare costs, improving waste management, and enhancing quality of life. Using the existing commercial relationships across multiple industries, including airline and hospitality, MarinaTex will develop the product from a laboratory prototype to an industry-validated product ready for manufacture. This project will lay the foundations for the industrial-scale production of recyclable and compostable food packaging made incorporating waste marine biopolymers.