Revolutionizing Packaging with Seaweed-Based Solutions for a Circular Economy

Sara Fedele, Lead, PR and Communications at Kickstart Innovation

As part of our Open Innovation Program, we showcase the journeys of the participants and Alumni. Today, we’re highlighting B'ZEOS, an innovative climate tech company dedicated to developing sustainable packaging solutions. Founded and SeaEO Guy Maurice, B'ZEOS specializes in creating biodegradable, compostable, and renewable alternatives to conventional plastics, aiming to reduce plastic pollution and contribute to a circular economy.

BZEOS’s mission is to decarbonize supply chains by replacing single-use plastics with eco-friendly materials, supporting global efforts toward achieving net-zero targets. With substantial backing and a clear vision, the company is scaling its operations to expand production and further innovate in the fight against climate change.

In this interview with Guy Maurice, we will explore the milestones and future plans of this forward-looking company, uncovering how their vision is shaping a more sustainable future.

What inspired the creation of B’ZEOS and its focus on sustainable materials? Can you tell us more about the initial vision and the specific environmental challenges you set out to address?

As the founder and SeaEO of B’ZEOS, my inspiration came from years of working in waste management across Africa and Central America, where I witnessed the devastating scale of the plastic crisis. It became clear to me that downstream recycling alone couldn’t address the problem at its core. I realized that we needed an upstream solution. After a waste management mission in Panama, I moved to Norway and was inspired by the region’s kelp forests. The turning point came in 2017 when I was served an organic drink with a plastic straw—an ironic moment that highlighted the urgent need for change. B’ZEOS began with a focus on edible algae-based straws but quickly evolved to tackle a bigger challenge: packaging. By shifting our focus, we aimed to meet the needs of large corporations, like Nestlé, and redefine packaging with a sustainable, nature-based solution to combat the plastic crisis.

Guy Maurice SeaEO®, Adriana Kyvik, PhD SeaTO, Camilla Dore, PhD SeaIO

B’ZEOS specializes in seaweed-based materials. How does this material differ from other sustainable options, and what unique benefits does it offer to companies looking to reduce their environmental footprint?

Seaweed is an extraordinary resource that has been utilized by humans for thousands of years. Recently, it has emerged as a powerful nature-based solution to combat plastic pollution and climate change. Its abundance, renewable nature, and circular properties make it an ideal choice for sustainable packaging. Unlike first- or second-generation bioplastic feedstocks like corn or sugarcane, seaweed is a third-generation feedstock. It requires no land, fresh water, pesticides, or herbicides to grow and can grow up to 30 times faster than land-based crops. Additionally, seaweed efficiently sequesters carbon and absorbs excess nitrates, helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and ocean acidification.

B’ZEOS leverages seaweed’s unique properties to develop fully bio-based and home-compostable materials, addressing common issues associated with bioplastics like PLA. These include the need for industrial composting infrastructure, the use of toxic additives, and the creation of microplastics. B’ZEOS’ seaweed-based packaging is also fully compatible with existing manufacturing processes, making it scalable beyond lab-scale production. Our materials are functional, durable, and versatile, making them an excellent alternative to conventional fossil-based packaging and a more sustainable option compared to several other bioplastics.

Developing and scaling new materials often involves a significant R&D process. What were some of the key challenges you faced during the development phase, and how did you overcome them?

As a startup, R&D requires building and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders, including technology providers, research institutes, and project partners. One of the key challenges we faced during the development phase was ensuring effective collaboration and communication across these diverse groups. To overcome this, we focused on clearly communicating our goals and aligning with all parties throughout projects and processes.

Additionally, R+D is a marathon, not a sprint. Hence, when our tech team did not receive successful results it was crucial to remain proactive and problem-solve in the areas we did not perform well and continue conducting tests and analyses to improve our testing processes and final product properties. 

With increased focus on the circular economy, how does B’ZEOS integrate sustainability across its production process? Are there any specific practices or innovations you’re particularly proud of that contribute to this mission?

At B’ZEOS, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Beyond using an incredibly sustainable feedstock—seaweed—to create home-compostable packaging, we ensure that sustainability is integrated across the entire value-chain by utilizing sustainably sourced seaweed and revalorizing waste streams. During the biorefinery process, parts  of the kelp plant are often discarded.

However, we have integrated a closed-loop system by utilizing the entire plant and its by-products in our formulations. Additionally, we prioritize using low-refined seaweed extracts, which help minimize both energy consumption and costs. B’ZEOS also revalorizes invasive seaweed species, such as sargassum, transforming this "biowaste" into sustainable packaging. These practices align with circular economy principles by reducing energy consumption, waste, and environmental impact.

How does B’ZEOS work with brands or industries to implement sustainable packaging solutions? Can you share an example of a collaboration or project that highlights the impact of your materials?

B’ZEOS has successfully conducted over five paid pilot projects with leading retailers, including Coop, Nestlé and others, to replace conventional plastics with seaweed-based alternatives. In these collaborations, we work closely with our pilot partners to identify where we can replace plastic packaging in their product portfolio. Then, our tech-team outlines a project road-map to create a custom-made solution tailored to our partners packaging needs. 

For example, in 2019, B’ZEOS launched its first paid pilot with Nestlé, followed by a second collaborative project in 2021. These initiatives involved close collaboration between our material and mechanical specialists and Nestlé's experts. Together, we conducted rigorous testing and optimization to ensure our seaweed-based packaging met both Nestlé’s specific requirements and industry standards. These projects have been instrumental in improving the performance and feasibility of our solutions for the food and beverage sector.

As consumers become more eco-conscious, the demand for sustainable options is growing. How has B’ZEOS engaged with consumers or companies to educate them on the benefits and applications of seaweed-based materials?

At B'ZEOS, we are committed to transparency in our technology. As bioplastics continue to emerge, so does the ambiguity around them. For consumers, it can be very difficult to differentiate between greenwashing and a product that is truly sustainable– and this is something we are doing differently.

Unlike other bioplastics, we are not using fossil-based polymers, or chemically modified or toxic additives. Instead, we use seaweed and fully biobased ingredients in our formulations to create truly sustainable packaging that mimics nature by breaking down just like an orange or banana peel, without leaving microplastics behind. Most importantly, our technology is designed to scale, enabling us to make a significant impact in the packaging industry

Looking to the future, where do you see B’ZEOS in the next three to five years? What impact do you hope your innovations will have on the global packaging industry and environmental sustainability?

Looking ahead, B’ZEOS is on a mission to become Europe’s first seaweed pellet compounder, scaling operations to transform the global packaging industry. With our recent seed funding and strategic partnerships with Faber and ICIG, we are actively engaging in pilot schemes to validate our technology further. Our goal is to introduce our products into real-world environments, by reaching a test shop with our partners. In the coming years, we aim to advance our technology readiness level (TRL) from TRL 7 to TRL 8, enabling deployment in operational settings, and ultimately to TRL 9 for full commercialization. This journey involves refining paid pilot projects and scaling them into recurring commercial orders.

By 2028, B’ZEOS aims to replace 350 tonnes of plastic, eliminate 350 tonnes of microplastics, and reduce water consumption by 30% compared to bioplastics (i.e PLA).