Discovering Notpla: The Packaging Revolution
Notpla Limited, based in London at 8B Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN, United Kingdom, is at the forefront of a new era in packaging. This project offers a truly innovative solution—packaging that disappears. Notpla creates packaging from seaweed, making use of a 100% natural seaweed coating to overcome the persistence of conventional, petrol-based plastic. The concept is as simple as it is revolutionary: once the contents are used, the whole package can be composted and disappears without a trace… just like a fruit peel. Notpla is a sustainable packaging startup with a clear mission to eliminate waste and help make the planet a healthier place.
Main Benefits of Natural Disappearing Packaging
This breakthrough in packaging technology brings a number of key benefits that have resonated across industries. Among the many advantages are:
- B Corp score of 86.8, highlighting commitment to responsible business practices
- A 100% natural seaweed coating that is both edible and biodegradable, ensuring no harmful residues
- Fully industrialised technology with the first few million units already sold across Europe
- Major commercial partnerships with prominent brands such as Just Eat Takeaway.com and Decathlon
- An innovative answer to the problem of single-use plastic packaging, supporting planetary health
Innovative Material: Notpla’s Seaweed Forever
Seaweed is at the heart of this ecological innovation. It is nature’s own sustainable material that grows incredibly fast, without the need for freshwater, land, or fertiliser. Seaweed captures carbon, reduces water acidity, and offers near-magical material properties—making it a true companion in battling the toxic waste of conventional packaging. Imagine forests below the sea silently working to heal our ecosystems; that’s the inspiration behind Notpla’s commitment to harnessing nature’s abundant resources for packaging that not only protects products but also the planet.
Liquid Packaging Revolution
The liquid packaging revolution marks where it all began for Notpla. Building on nature’s blueprint, the company has devised an innovative solution that enables liquid to be encapsulated in a thin, flexible layer. This layer is totally edible and naturally biodegradable. It makes single-use sachets of herbs, spices, and even oil packaging possible—perfect for on-the-go applications and ready meals. The design ensures that when the packaging has done its job, it simply disappears back into nature without leaving any plastic behind… a dynamic shift in the approach to liquid packaging.
Futures Lab: Nurturing the Next Breakthrough
At the core of continuous innovation lies the Futures Lab, a dynamic R&D department and partnership platform. Here, chemists and designers come together with various brands to pioneer new forms of sustainable packaging. It is in this lab that emerging ideas are refined and grown into products ready for mass manufacturing. The lab is not only a testament to Notpla’s forward-thinking mindset but also a hub where creativity meets commerce—with each breakthrough, it aims to redefine what packaging can be and how it contributes to a healthier environment.
Project Impact on a Global Scale
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable materials
- SDG 13: Climate Action – through the use of natural materials that help capture carbon and reduce environmental impact
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – by eliminating single-use plastic packaging that harms marine ecosystems
- SDG 15: Life on Land – via innovative solutions that protect terrestrial ecosystems from plastic pollution
New Everyday Applications & Sustainable Choices
Notpla Films extend the promise of innovative packaging to everyday life. Their versatile collection offers true solutions for foods, drinks, care products, and so many other items used daily—some of which are edible, others compostable or water-dissolvable. The project has found its niche in revolutionising the way herbs, spices, and even oil are packaged. A single portion of oil, wrapped in biodegradable seaweed packaging, represents a shift towards a more sustainable, on-the-go lifestyle. This approach, endorsed by everyone from eco-advocates to major food service operators, is pioneering the fight against our plastic addiction and paving the way for a new era of packaging.
