Scientists at Aberystwyth University have developed a new biodegradable plastic made from seaweed that could one day replace conventional food packaging.
RESEARCHERS at the university’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) say the new material could provide a more sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel based plastics widely used across the food industry.
The breakthrough, detailed in the journal Algal Research, uses alginate – a natural extract from seaweed – combined with other biological compounds to create a flexible and durable film suitable for wrapping food products.
Plastic films currently account for almost a third of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced globally each year, with billions of kilograms of waste entering the oceans annually.
The west Wales research team said the seaweed-based material is completely biodegradable and could help tackle growing concerns over plastic pollution.
The process involves turning seaweed extracts into a powder, mixing it with water, heating it, and casting it into moulds to form thin transparent sheets. Researchers have been testing the films for strength, elasticity, antibacterial properties and water resistance.
Dr Jessica Adams, from IBERS at Aberystwyth University, said the findings were “good news for the planet”.
She said: “Seaweed grown in the UK can be used to create more sustainable plastics. Seaweed has so many special and unique properties, not least because films produced from alginate are completely biodegradable, making this a completely circular product.
“Seaweed can be used to form thin, transparent plastic-like sheets that have many valuable traits, making them excellent candidates for replacing food wrapping.”
The study was led by PhD student Luke Barnett, who said demand for greener alternatives to plastic packaging was increasing rapidly.
“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. That is why myself and others are so passionate about taking this research forward to practical applications.”
The project received backing from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and food manufacturer Samworth Brothers Ltd.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, Executive Chair of the BBSRC, said the research highlighted the role bioscience could play in tackling environmental challenges.
She said: “This research shows how natural resources such as seaweed can inspire innovative alternatives to fossil-fuel derived plastics.
“BBSRC supports partnerships between academia and industry to turn discovery research into practical solutions that improve lives and livelihoods while advancing a more sustainable circular bioeconomy.”
A spokesperson for Samworth Brothers said the company was committed to supporting research that could reduce environmental impact and challenge existing industry practices.
