Notpla Seaweed Paper

Notpla Seaweed Paper / Source: Notpla

BeautyCompostableEuropeFood & BeverageNotpla Seaweed PaperPackagingRecycledRigidSeaweedUpcycled

WHAT WE SAY:

One snag in our healthy move away from plastic packaging is an increasing pressure on forestry for paper-based alternatives. Notpla is aiming to relieve this growing tension, with its recently launched, yet to scale, Notpla Paper - made from 30% seaweed byproduct.

Citing seaweed’s ability to sequester carbon and regenerate coastlines as a reason for its use, Notpla uses waste from the seaweed extraction process for its paper. Meaning this uniquely textured and speckled paper stock reduces waste to landfill and our reliance on virgin wood pulp. A double win we can get behind. Keep an eye on its 2024 trajectory because a completely wood-free paper is in sight.

Notpla Seaweed Paper

WHAT IS NOTPLA SEAWEED PAPER?

Notpla Seaweed Paper is made from 30% upcycled Seaweed byproduct, leftover after the seaweed extraction process used for its other seaweed-based packaging solutions. This fibrous byproduct (approximately 80% of the original plant) normally goes to landfill or, at best, becomes animal feed. Notpla has found a way to turn it into functional Paper for packaging.
The other 70% of the paper’s source material is from recycled paper content and a small portion of traditional virgin wood pulp. Notpla is aiming for a completely wood-free paper by 2024. The brand does not specify what will be used to create this, but it intends to to blend alternative fibres with the seaweed byproduct.
Aesthetically, the paper has a visibly speckled appearance, thanks to the seaweed, and it can be used for traditional paper packaging applications, such as boxes and bags due to its similar physical characteristics. The company has had a number of enquiries from beauty brands.
At the end of its useful life, Notpla Paper can biodegrade in less than six weeks in a home composting environment.
Notpla Paper is now available to buy via GF Smith Papers.

KEY PROPERTIES:

Compostable
Recycled
Rigid
Upcycled

INDUSTRY:

Beauty
Food & Beverage
Packaging

AVAILABILITY:

Commercially Available

DIVE DEEPER:

As the demand for plastic-free packaging increases, so does the pressure on alternative materials, such as paper. Forecasts predict that the global paper and paperboard packaging market will grow from a value of USD 199.8 billion in 2021 to USD 250 billion in 2026, ultimately requiring a significant increase of virgin wood pulp to sustain. One tonne of seaweed byproduct can prevent four tonnes of trees being felled.
This is currently coinciding with a rising cost of wood pulp caused by supply and demand issues, meaning the cost of virgin paper is also on the up.
Working with Canopy, and as part of its Pack4Good initiative, Notpla’s Seaweed Paper is an attempt to provide an alternative to wood pulp-based traditional paper packaging. Unlike other premium paper on the market, Notpla Seaweed Paper is free from synthetics, with no synthetic sizing agents or coatings. Synthetic additives that are added to paper during the paper-making process can affect recyclability.
Notpla Seaweed Paper can currently be experienced as a sample book directly from the company for GBP 17.99 (USD 22.21). There are no current consumer facing uses of this paper on the market.
Notpla completed a GBP 10 million (USD 12.5 million) Series A financing round in 2021, and it states it will be using part of this funding to continue to develop its paper solution. Industrialisation and scaling challenges to ensure cost competitiveness are at the front of Notpla’s priorities, meaning we can hope to see this solution become a market-ready proposition soon.

The paper used as cartonboard cosmetics packaging. / Source: Notpla

Solid soap wrapped in Notpla Seaweed Paper / Source: Notpla

KEY FACTS:

30%

Notpla Seaweed Paper is made from 30% upcycled seaweed byproduct.

$250bn

Forecasts predict that the global paper and paperboard packaging market will grow to a value of USD 250 billion in 2026.

6 weeks

Notpla paper biodegrades in less than six weeks in home compost environments.

Key Questions to Ask:

Are you sourcing seaweed sustainably?

While an increased demand for seaweed and seaweed papers could potentially reduce pressure on forestry, the knock on impact must not be felt by the seaweed family. A naturally regenerative plant, seaweed can be farmed sustainably, restoring coastlines while providing materiality. Notpla’s work with The Safe Seaweed Coalition and Seaweed for Europe ensures this is the case.

Is recycling important to your consumer?

While Notpla Seaweed Papers can be home composted at the end of their life, not everyone has access to a garden and/or food bin. For some, recycling is the only option of disposal and while these papers are recyclable, it will not be the case in all regions. Determine regional material pulp processing facilities to ensure your customer can effectively, and responsibly, dispose of the product.

Are your suppliers comfortable with seaweed paper?

The material properties of Notpla Seaweed Papers are comparable to traditional paper, however your choice of supplier may not be familiar with the product. If proposing seaweed papers, be sure to liaise with your printer or convertor early in the project to ensure they are able to process the paper (if not seek an alternative supplier).