Bangalore-based start-up succeeds in transforming seaweed into an eco-friendly plastic alternative

Over the years, people have been trying to transition to sustainable practices when it comes to food sourcing as well as food production and packaging. While several biodegradable options have been sought to hopefully replace plastic and curb pollution, very few materials fit the bill. Yet, none quite as fitting as seaweed. This aquatic plant has certainly won praise for proving to be a viable solution that can be a game-changer in the way food is produced. Interestingly, it is already being used for a large selection of products, right from textiles to cosmetics. That being said it is being lauded as the perfect substitute for ecological packaging in addition to biofuels.

A viable alternative to plastic

The past few years have pointed out the grim reality of climate change. It is no longer a threat but a reality that several nations are struggling to actively battle. To further this objective and fight climate change, the European Union has been tirelessly working over the last 20 years on research that considers the viability of seaweed as a substitute for plastic. One of the main reasons why it is being considered is that seaweed is biodegradable. Therefore, should tons of seaweed end up in the ocean in a way similar to how plastic has done in the past; it would not negatively impact the environment nor pollute the oceans.

Use of seaweed in packaging

While considering it as an alternative to plastic a London-based start-up that is known as Notpla has devised a neat way to use seaweed for packaging. They used biodegradable substances for packaging their sauces and beverages. At the moment, the Bangalore-based start-up Sea6 Energy is considering the commercial implications of using seaweed. However, they admit that they are still in the primary and evolutionary phase of considering seaweed as a biodegradable film that can go on to replace paper bags and plastic bags. 
It is heartening news indeed that the brilliant minds at this Indian start-up are trying to reinvent the way use plastic to banish the substance that pollutes the planet.

Cultivation and conventional harvesting practices

Since it is a versatile aquatic plant that can be used in a myriad of industries, people have been cultivating seaweed for centuries now. However, it was conventionally grown on ropes just below the surface of the water. While this worked well, it was certainly limiting in some ways as large-scale cultivation wasn’t possible. This is a problem no more due to the ingenious strategies in ocean farming by Shrikumar Suryanarayan who is the co-founder and CEO of a Bangalore-based start-up Sea6 Energy. Suryanarayan is also the former head of research and development at Biocon (an Indian pharmaceutical magnate focusing on biologically-sourced medicines).

Sea6 Energy insists on sustainable ocean farming

While the news of seaweed becoming a substitute for plastic sounds wonderful, it is equally important to ensure that sustainable farming is done when harvesting the weeds from the ocean. This is because a lot of marine animals and aquatic life depend on seaweed for their livelihood and consume it as a food source. Therefore, Sea6 Energy has vowed to plant seaweed just as they harvest it from the ocean. The company that was founded in 2010 aims to automate ocean farming much like tractors mechanized the process of agriculture. 
The start-up functions with a sea combine and a mechanized catamaran. This ensures that the harvesting and replanting happen at a similar pace in the ocean. How this happens is that the machine journeys to and fro along with the areas with seaweed. In this process, the fully-grown plants are harvested and fresh seaweed saplings replace them.

Potential for using Seaweed as biofuel

A CNN report affirms, “The company’s boldest ambition is to convert seaweed to biofuel, helping to reduce India’s dependence on crude oil. Scientific research carried out by the company shows it would be technically feasible, but Suryanarayan admits there’s still a long way to go before it becomes commercially viable.” Suryanarayan goes on to say, “Sea agriculture is one of the ways to improve the sustainability of the planet. Our job and journey will be well achieved if we can show that it is economically viable.” Nevertheless, Sea6Energy has started something which has endless possibilities and can promote sustainability practices when it comes to ocean farming. 
What remains to be seen is the next phase of growth that will take place in the coming years as we move toward cruelty-free farming. 

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