Notpla is looking to shake up the paper industry.
Notpla (short for: not plastic) has launched Notpla Paper — the first sustainable paper made with 30% seaweed by-product — in collaboration with Canopy, a not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting forests, species, and climate. Notpla Paper intends to alleviate pressure on the world’s forests by using the by-products remaining from the industrial processing of seaweed.
After extracting the most valuable compounds in seaweed, up to 80% of its biomass is frequently considered waste and thrown back into landfills or sometimes used as animal feed. By using 30% of that seaweed by-product, Notpla Paper says they are contributing to driving a circular economy approach.
Designed to capture the essence of its origin — the ocean — the company’s seaweed-based paper transforms a wasted resource into a quality product. The premium paper covers many applications, from invitations and envelopes to boxes and bags, and Notpla says they are receiving interest from the cosmetics and fashion industries for the product’s natural texture and distinctive look.
Notpla is committing to protect vital forests around the planet through Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative by putting seaweed as a next generation solution for paper making. In joining Canopy’s Pack4Good initiative, Notpla is playing a leadership role in scaling alternative puIp inputs.
“It is critical to understand that not all papers are equal,” says Notpla co-founder and co-CEO Pierre Paslier. “Consumers are pushing for more natural solutions to hit the market, but the paper industry has been resistant to change. Seaweed can change the game. Canopy’s support has been key for us to understand the pitfalls of the paper industry and maximize the positive impact that we can have with our packaging.”
Canopy and Notpla say that they will be extending their efforts to impact sustainable supply chain solutions and promote ethical practices in manufacturing. Education among stakeholders, they say, will be key to encouraging the paper industry to evolve towards more sustainable solutions.
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