Swedish seaweed cultivation company Nordic SeaFarm is collaborating with circular economy tech company FutureLab & Partners on a sustainable biomaterials company, Manatee Biomaterials. The new entity is expected to leverage seaweed’s potential to deliver durable and high-quality materials for diverse industries.
Manatee Biomaterials was originally formed to accelerate adoption of seaweed as a material technology for circular product and packaging systems. But the partners are branching out into other industries where seaweed and other ocean-based renewable substances can be used for various applications.
They said they are open for joint developments and proof of concept collaborations related to durable plastic replacements, packaging solutions and furniture parts.
“We are thrilled to join forces with FutureLab & Partners to form Manatee Biomaterials,” says Simon Hilmersson, CEO of Nordic SeaFarm. “This partnership allows us to expand the possibilities of our seaweed, positioning us at the forefront of regenerative material solutions. We believe that seaweed-based biomaterials have the potential to transform industries and accelerate the transition to a more regenerative, circular economy.”
The company’s first biomaterials are seaweeds in the family of sugar kelp, finger kelp and sea lettuce (Laminaria Saccharina, Laminaria Digitata & Ulva Fenestrata).
Liselotte Tingvall from FutureLab & Partners adds, “Our mission is to speed up innovation that creates a positive impact on the planet. With Manatee Biomaterials, we are unlocking the power of the ocean to meet the growing demand for new products in ways that reduce our environmental footprint and support healthy ecosystems. We want to make it easier for the market to adopt ocean based materials into their product portfolios.”
