Talk: The seaweed-powered packaging revolution

This event is part of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition 2024. 

Imagine packaging that not only avoids harming the planet but actually nourishes it. This vision is now a reality with revolutionary seaweed-based solutions, urgently needed to replace single-use plastics.

In this talk, Dr. Erinc Bahcegul of Notpla, a trailblazing London startup, will reveal seaweed as a perfect, endlessly renewable resource for sustainable packaging. Using cutting-edge technology, Notpla transforms seaweed into an array of home-compostable products: takeaway boxes, food containers, packaging films, sachets, edible liquid containers, cutlery, caps, and more.

These groundbreaking innovations propel us toward a greener future, proving we can solve the plastic crisis with nature’s incredible materials.

Dr. Erinc Bahcegul is the research team lead at Notpla, the London-based startup that won the 2022 Earthshot Prize for its revolutionary seaweed-based packaging solutions. With expertise in chemical engineering and biotechnology, he transforms seaweed into sustainable packaging, scaling innovations from the lab to industrial production.

His work focuses on extracting, processing, and testing natural polymers from renewable resources like agricultural waste. By adopting a biorefinery approach, Erinc converts renewable materials into diverse, eco-friendly products - driving Notpla's mission to replace single-use plastics and promote a sustainable future.

Attending the event

This talk will be held in the Kohn Centre on Friday 5 July 2024, 2pm - 2.30pm. 

• Free to attend, no ticket required
• The room has limited capacity, so we recommend that visitors arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the talk. We operate a first-come, first-served policy
• This talk will take place in person at the Royal Society and will also be livestreamed on the Royal Society YouTube channel
• Live subtitles will be available in-person and virtually
• Suitable for students (14+)
• Travel and accessibility information and details on planning your visit - contact us directly to arrange any specific accessibility requirements
• Food and drink will be available for purchase at our onsite café

For all enquiries, please email us.

Image credit: Silas Baisch, Unsplash