Brightplus teams up with Origin by Ocean to explore algae biomaterial in packaging

11 Mar 2021 --- Finland-based biosciences business Brightplus is joining algae innovation company Origin by Ocean to explore the possibilities of using algae in biomaterials for packaging. 

The duo says their research will answer a growing demand for algae-based synthetic biomaterials in Europe, which at present is minimal.

The partnership is harvesting algae from the Baltic Sea, and will focus on examining different decorative and barrier properties of seaweed-based biomass, which can provide, for example, haptic effects for glass coatings.

It will also turn the algae into algae-based biomass for sustainable ingredients, which can be used in the production of everyday consumer goods such as food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. 

Origin by Ocean says it envisions building a new value chain around the oceans’ eutrophication problem, referring to a build-up of nutrients causing toxicity and wildlife damage. 

Glass bottle coated with seaweed to create a haptic effect.Natural ocean packaging 
Seaweed’s natural building blocks also give algae an array of sustainable and functional properties suitable for packaging applications. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights, Milja Hannu-Kuure, managing director of Brightplus, explains the collaboration’s progress and aims. 

“We are at the early stages in developing seaweed as a potential biomaterial for different applications with our BrightBio technology. So far, we have been testing certain seaweed-derived materials from Origin by Ocean, both as a bio-based bulk material and raw material for glass pigments, as in perfume bottles.” 

So far, the company has also been able to process extracted colors from seaweed for other pigmentations and various bio-based materials.

The seaweed challenge
Hannu-Kuure says the project faces considerable difficulties in formulating algae into usable materials. 

“Currently, the main challenges using seaweed as a raw material come from its unstable natural origin, for example, shelf life and mold formation.”

Dealing with this instability is a challenge for people working only with synthetic materials rather than natural ones, she asserts. 

“However, working with various materials sourced from nature has already become a new normal for us.”The coating offers a protective and decorative effect to the glass.

The important aspect of facing these challenges, she continues, “is to consider the quality variations of the natural raw materials and to customize the manufacturing processes to withstand these small variations.” 

Currently, seaweed content in different materials applications is still quite small, and to increase and optimize seaweed content, more research and development is required for reaching economic and industrial applicability. 

Dealing with the smell 
One issue in applying seaweed to packaging materials is its odor, asserts Hannu-Kuure.

“There are ways to overcome this, and we are currently exploring the most appropriate solutions as a way forward. In addition, it is important to ensure that applications using seaweed are user safe and don’t, for example, migrate out of the package or cause allergic reactions.”

Even though there are many challenges to overcome when using seaweed as raw material, it also has exciting, positive properties as well, she continues. 

For example, it can bind carbon dioxide, which makes it “a very attractive raw material” candidate for certain applications. 

Algae also have marine biodegradability, thermoformability and contribute to an overall reduction of fossil-based materials.

By Louis Gore-Langton