10126318Turning traction into transactions for novel Net Zero materialsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKUK households throw away ~100Billion items of plastic packaging/year \[Statista 2023\], of which only 12% is recycled. The remainder is disposed of via landfill or incineration- which not only detrimentally impacts the environment, but our economies (£115 million/year in the UK associated with single use plastic disposal), but it eventually leads to the creation of microplastics which disturbs our health (deleterious impacts on our endocrine systems\[Ullah, 2023\]). To hit Net Zero and other government set sustainability targets there is an urgent need for plastic-alternatives. At FlexSea we are developing novel biomaterials for sustainable packaging solutions, using red seaweeds as a bio-based feedstock. Seaweed is one of the world's best carbon sequesters and prevents the use of non-renewables (fossil fuels) and their high carbon emissions in the first instance. We offer the advantage over current bioplastics as we do not compete with land used for food crops, nor require fresh water, pesticides nor fertilisers. We have successfully undertaken EN 13432 in home-composting conditions; FlexSea material comes from nature and goes back to nature. Since the company's inception 3 years ago we have grown substantially from a small kitchen to a large industrial unit with capacity of 100kg per hour material production. FlexSea material is processable on standard plastic industry machine -- offering a truly scalable solution. We have gained significant market interest from packaging manufacturers seeking more sustainable materials in various sectors; cosmetic, medical, clothing, food, construction. Project demonstrations will validate the robustness of our biomaterial for these various sectors and entry into these markets. This project will catalyse the transition of FlexSea from pre-commercial to selling products in the market and making an impact -- turning traction into transactions. This project will establish the UK at the forefront of material development towards Net Zero goals (2030 for cosmetics and 2045 for healthcare); satisfying the government's agenda. Additionally, this project will support the UK Plastics Pact target: 100% of plastics packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025\. This project includes development of clear communication of end-of-life for products made from our material, including labelling, kitemarks and certification. We will also validate the life cycle analysis and develop an environmental, social and governance strategy -- providing transparency to manufactures and end users. Successful project outcomes will address an urgent need for plastic packaging alternatives by providing a completely novel seaweed-derived bioplastic as an exciting biobased sustainable packaging solution.