10181863Sustainable seaweed textile coatingsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe _Sustainable Seaweed Textile Coatings_ project will develop and evaluate a seaweed-derived bioplastic coating designed for use in denim finishing. The aim is to demonstrate that renewable marine-based polymers can replace conventional petrochemical textile coatings without compromising performance or aesthetic quality. The work is led by LaundRE, the UK's first circular denim finishing hub, which is pioneering sustainable production methods for the fashion sector. Using its industrial pad-application and nebulising systems, LaundRE will apply experimental coatings to denim fabrics under real manufacturing conditions. PlantSea, a materials-innovation company based in North Wales, will supply and refine its seaweed-based polymer system. Independent validation and analysis will be undertaken by researchers at the PlastIC Research Centre at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), who will assess coating adhesion, durability and environmental performance. Conventional plastic coatings remain a significant barrier to circularity in textiles, preventing recycling and contributing to microplastic pollution. By adapting a renewable bioplastic derived from UK seaweed, the project will explore a lower-impact alternative that aligns with forthcoming sustainability regulations and the transition to net-zero manufacturing. The material uses seaweed harvested in UK coastal waters, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting regional economies in Scotland, Wales and the South of England. The study will deliver verified laboratory data, demonstrator fabrics and a detailed assessment of how seaweed-based materials can be integrated into UK textile finishing processes. The findings will provide the first independent UK evidence of a seaweed-derived plastic coating applied through commercial denim-finishing equipment. Beyond the technical outcomes, the project will contribute to the UK's growing bioeconomy by advancing sustainable materials innovation and informing future research into marine-based polymers. It will support cleaner manufacturing and responsible materials use, generating new data to guide future investment. Led by LaundRE, with the specialist input of PlantSea and independent evaluation by AUB's PlastIC Research Centre, this feasibility study represents an important step toward circular textile manufacturing and establishes the groundwork for future industrial and commercial adoption.