DS Smith has revealed that it is ‘exploring’ how seaweed fibres can be used as a raw material in paper and packaging products.
It comes as part of the firm’s £100 million circular economy research and development programme.
If tests show it would be viable, it could see seaweed used across DS Smith’s packaging network as an alternative fibre source to wood.
Further tests are also exploring the potential of seaweed playing a ‘significant’ role in the ‘purge’ on plastics by acting as a barrier coating to replace petroleum-based packaging.
Thomas Ferge, paper and board development director at DS Smith, said, “As a leader in sustainability, our research into alternative raw material and fibre sources has the potential to be a real game changer for our customers and consumers who increasingly want products that are easy to recycle and have a minimal impact on the environment.
“Seaweed is one of the many alternative natural materials we’re closely looking at, and while most people probably associate it with the beach or as an ingredient in sushi, it could have some exciting applications for us to help create the next generation of sustainable paper and packaging solutions.”
