Novel enhanced bioplastics from sustainable processing of seaweed.
The main objective of PlastiSea is to develop novel bioplastic materials based on cultivated and wild species of brown algae.
Program: ERA- Blue Bio Co-fund (https://bluebioeconomy.eu/)
Duration: 36 meses, Marzo 2020 hasta Febrero 2023
Coordinator: SINTEF Industry (Noruega)
More information: Julio Vidal
Novel enhanced bioplastics from sustainable processing of seaweed. 
The main objective of PlastiSea is to develop novel bioplastic materials based on cultivated and wild species of brown algae.
Conventional plastic materials come from non-renewable sources and pollution from these materials poses a global threat to marine environments. The EU recently voted in favour of a complete ban on single-use plastics by 2021. This moves support sustainable practices and encourages the interest in bio-based and biodegradable plastics, particularly in areas such as packaging.
However, bio-based plastics still face a number of challenges, such as the relationship between demand and production capacity, low biodegradability, recyclability and unsatisfactory mechanical properties, all of which greatly limit the implementation of these materials. The Plastisea project aims to demonstrate the capability of a new sustainable high-performance material developed from brown algae (both wild and cultivated).
The seaweed biomass will be processed into polysaccharide-rich fractions using different degrees of refinement. The aim is to use this high added-value material as a basis for the food or biomedical industries.
Within Plastise project, novel bioplastic substrates will be developed, focusing on the structural properties of the material and its biodegradability, by using the inherent properties of polysaccharides obtained from algae, combined with novel formulation and structural technology.
The ability to produce large volumes of material will be demonstrated on a pilot scale, which will take the first steps towards industrialisation of this new material.
FINANCING ENTITY: AGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN. PCI2020-111959/AEI/10.13039/501100011033