The NOVAFOODIES project has reached an important milestone in the development of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions based on marine biomass.

Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) have successfully developed an improved packaging material combining seaweed biomass cultivated in the project’s recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with recycled paper pulp. The packaging prototypes were manufactured by associated partner PulpTec, demonstrating how circular bio-based approaches can contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of packaging materials.

The seaweed used in the material was cultivated within the NOVAFOODIES RAS system, a technology designed to support sustainable biomass production while maximising resource efficiency. By integrating marine biomass into packaging applications, the project aims to explore new pathways for the valorisation of aquatic resources within a circular economy framework.

Beyond material development, environmental performance is a key aspect of the research. The biodegradation behaviour of the packaging material and its potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems are currently being investigated by Luisa Bösser through the SafeSeaPack PhD project. This work will contribute valuable insights into the environmental compatibility of seaweed-based packaging solutions.

This achievement highlights the strong collaboration among project partners and demonstrates the potential of innovative bio-based materials to support more sustainable food value chains and packaging systems.

Thanks to AWI that through NOVAFOODIES has contributied to this promising development.