KelpiCoat
Sustainable packaging alternatives from seaweed
Kelpi is on a mission to combat plastic pollution by reducing fossil fuel reliance, replacing traditional single-use plastics with innovative, seaweed-based materials. Applied as a coating to paper, card and other fibre substrates, ‘KelpiCoat’ is designed to replicate the performance of plastic and is an ideal alternative for large FMCG organisations looking to reduce their plastic consumption. Incorporating natural bonds into the material’s chemistry, our material is recyclable and biodegradable, breaking down completely in the environment ensuring no toxins or microplastics are left behind.
Company/Institution
Kelpi
Kelpi is a UK based materials innovation start up, with the purpose of tackling the major issues of plastic pollution through the development of alternative materials made from seaweed and other natural feedstocks. Kelpi's material is applied as a coating, onto paper, card, and other fibre substrates and is therefore recyclable and fully biodegradable - leaving no microplastics or toxins behind. We are working with large FMCG brands and their packaging partners in the food & drink, cosmetics, and personal care sectors, helping to reduce their plastic packaging use.
Country
United Kingdom
Website
Designer(s)
Dr Stefanie Federle, Dr Georgios Gkotsis, Julia Maxwell, Dr Marco Piccini, Dr Ed Jones & Molly McCarthy
Dr Stefanie Federle, CSO; Dr Georgios Gkotsis, CTO; Julia Maxwell, Product Manager; Dr Marco Piccini, Senior Polymer Scientist; Dr Ed Jones, Principal Engineer; Molly McCarthy, Polymer Scientist
Dr. Stefanie Federle leads the lab team comprising Dr. Marco Piccini and Molly McCarthy who focus on sustainable polymer synthesis, development and formulation. Dr. Georgios Gkotsis leads the product and engineering teams, comprising of Julia Maxwell and Jonny Needham focusing on material development and conversion methods, Dr. Ed Jones and Shreeya Rayani focusing on the industrialisation strategy for scale up, and Patricia Palomillo and Chara Chatzistefanou, who focus on product development, testing and quality control.