Welsh seaweed film could cut plastic packaging, Aberystwyth University researchers say

Welsh seaweed film could cut plastic packaging, Aberystwyth University researchers say

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Researchers at Aberystwyth University in Wales say they have developed a biodegradable plastic-like film made from seaweed extracts, a material they believe could eventually provide an alternative to fossil fuel-based food packaging.

The research, published in the journal Algal Research, was carried out at the university’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS). The team combined alginate, a natural extract from seaweed, with other biological compounds to produce a stronger and more flexible wrapping material.

According to the study, plastic films make up almost a third of the roughly 400 million tonnes of plastic produced worldwide each year. The researchers also cited estimates that about 15 billion kilogrammes of plastic enter the oceans annually, contributing to pollution and harming marine ecosystems.

The new material is made by turning seaweed extracts into a powder, mixing it with water, heating it and forming it into thin sheets. Scientists said they have been testing the films for durability, elasticity, water resistance and antibacterial qualities to assess whether the material could work as a replacement for existing food wrapping products.

Dr Jessica Adams, from IBERS at Aberystwyth University, said the work shows the potential of seaweed grown in UK waters to support more sustainable manufacturing. “It is good news for the planet that seaweed grown in the UK can be used to create more sustainable plastics,” she said.

“Seaweed has so many special and unique properties, not least because films produced from alginate are completely biodegradable, making this a completely circular product,” Dr Adams added. She said seaweed can be used to form thin, transparent plastic-like sheets with traits that make them “excellent candidates for replacing food wrapping”.

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The study was led by PhD student Luke Barnett, who said interest in environmentally friendly packaging alternatives is rising as concern grows about plastic pollution. “While bioplastics have a long history, plastic packaging, including films, are now starting to shift to environmentally-friendly alternatives,” he said.

“These more natural sources for packaging will help reduce the effect plastic pollution is having on the environment,” Barnett added.

The project was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and food company Samworth Brothers Ltd. Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Executive Chair of the BBSRC, said the research demonstrated how natural resources can inspire alternatives to plastics derived from fossil fuels.

A spokesperson for Samworth Brothers said the project aligned with the company’s efforts to reduce environmental impacts and support sustainable innovation in food production.

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