Notpla

Overview

Notpla is a London-based biotechnology company headquartered in Hackney Wick, United Kingdom. Founded in 2019 by co-founders Pierre Paslier and Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez (Imperial College London graduates), Notpla develops innovative seaweed-based, plastic-free packaging solutions. The company manufactures 100% biodegradable, edible packaging that replaces conventional plastic containers and wrapping, with particular focus on foodservice and single-use plastic replacement.

Notpla won The Earthshot Prize in 2022 (prestigious global sustainability award in the “Build a Waste-free World” category) and partners with major food industry players to scale sustainable packaging solutions.

Core Technology: Seaweed-Based Bioplastics

Seaweed Feedstock:

• Brown seaweed/brown algae sourcing
• Renewable, fast-growing resource
• No fertilizers, fresh water, or agricultural land required
• Absorbs CO₂ during growth (carbon sequestration)
• De-acidifies and re-oxygenates ocean waters

Material Properties:

• 100% naturally biodegradable composition
• Completely edible formulation
• Plastic-free and toxin-free
• Breaks down within weeks in natural environments
• Food-contact safe materials

Manufacturing:

• Proprietary seaweed processing technology
• Sustainable conversion methods
• Scalable production processes
• Quality-controlled formulations

Flagship Product: Ooho

Ooho Liquid Encapsulation:

• Thin, flexible seaweed-based membrane
• Encapsulates liquids (sauces, drinks, condiments)
• Single-shot encapsulation for portion control
• 100% edible container
• Zero plastic packaging
• Rapid biodegradation

Development History:

• Concept developed at Imperial College London (2013)
• Co-founders’ original innovation
• Commercialized through Notpla (2019+)
• Now in partnership applications

Product Range

Seaweed-Coated Containers:

• Food takeaway boxes with seaweed coating
• Moisture and grease barriers
• Replaces plastic-lined cardboard
• Fully biodegradable finish
• Food-safe certification

Packaging Solutions:

• Takeaway food containers (partnership with Just Eat Takeaway.com)
• Liquid encapsulation packaging
• Paper/cardboard coating alternatives
• Custom food packaging applications
• Foodservice equipment

Consumer Applications:

• Restaurant and takeaway packaging
• Delivery platform packaging
• Condiment containers
• Beverage encapsulation
• Retail food packaging

Strategic Partnerships

Just Eat Takeaway.com Collaboration:

• Multi-year partnership to replace plastic-lined boxes
• Seaweed-coated sustainable containers
• Scale-up of Notpla products in foodservice
• European market deployment

Research & Innovation

Horizon Europe Research Project:

• €4 million, 3-year EU-funded research initiative
• Focus: Reinventing single-use products
• Seaweed-based alternatives development
• Scaling and commercialization support

Ongoing Innovation:

• Product portfolio expansion
• Seaweed processing optimization
• Ocean farming partnerships
• Commercial scale-up projects

Sustainability Benefits

Environmental Impact:

• Eliminates plastic in foodservice
• Supports ocean health (seaweed cultivation benefit)
• Carbon sequestration (seaweed growth)
• Complete biodegradability
• No microplastic pollution risk

Circular Economy Contribution:

• Edible packaging (food-product integration)
• Compostable with food waste
• Supports marine ecosystem health
• Reduces landfill waste
• Renewable feedstock alignment

Resource Efficiency:

• No freshwater consumption
• No agricultural land use
• No fertilizer inputs
• Ocean farming benefits
• Scalable with coastal regions

Competitive Advantages

Technology:

• Proprietary seaweed processing
• Edible packaging innovation
• Moisture barrier performance
• Scalable manufacturing

Sustainability:

• Ocean-positive sourcing
• Carbon-negative impact
• Complete biodegradability
• Food-contact safety

Market Validation:

• Earthshot Prize recognition (2022)
• Industry partnership commitment
• Growing market demand for plastic-free
• Regulatory tailwinds

Awards & Recognition

The Earthshot Prize 2022:

• Global sustainability award
• “Build a Waste-free World” category
• Recognition of innovation and impact
• Elevated platform for growth

Industry Recognition:

• Leading seaweed bioplastics innovator
• Plastic-free packaging pioneer
• Food industry transformation leader

Facility & Operations

London Headquarters:

• Hackney Wick, East London
• 10,000 sq ft facility
• Research and manufacturing center
• Product development capabilities

Growth Stage:

• Early commercialization phase
• Scaling with partnerships
• European market expansion
• Manufacturing capacity development

Strategic Vision

Notpla’s mission:

• Eliminate plastic from food packaging and foodservice
• Protect oceans through sustainable seaweed farming
• Create edible solutions to packaging waste
• Scale globally to replace billions of single-use plastics
• Support circular economy in food industry

Last updated: February 27, 2026