We are a sustainable packaging start-up
We’re hard to define because what we’re doing hasn’t been done before.
Notpla is a sustainable packaging start-up founded in 2014. A combination of designers, chemists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. We create advanced packaging solutions made from seaweed and other natural materials as an alternative to single-use plastic.
Made from seaweed
Notpla is made from one of nature’s most renewable resources, brown seaweed.
Growing up to 1m per day, it doesn’t compete with food crops, doesn’t need fresh water or fertiliser and actively contributes to de-acidifying our oceans.
Biodegradable
Most people don’t know that 50% of plastic packaging is used once and thrown away. Notpla biodegrades naturally in 4-6 weeks. No micro-plastics, no waste for centuries. Unlike PLA, it is home compostable and doesn’t contaminate PET recycling.
Manufacturing
At the heart of our solution is a bespoke manufacturing machine that produces Oohos sachets in the range of 15-100ml, depending on the application. Once fully tested and scaled up our business model will be to lease this machine and sell cartridges of materials to food manufacturers, co-packers and event organisers, enabling them to produce and sell Oohos containing drinks or sauces as desired.
The machine is still in development and we are working with a selection of corporate clients to evaluate and trial this machinery.
Having a positive impact is at the heart of what we do.
We recognise that our environmental and social impact goes way beyond the work we do with our products. Read and learn more about our approach to sustainability and the world of packaging here.
We received multiple awards and grants from Innovate UK and the Ellen Macarthur Foundation for our innovative product “Ooho” – an edible and fully biodegradable sachet. Our portfolio has now extended with multiple innovation solutions.
How it started
Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Pierre Paslier cofounded Skipping Rocks Lab while studying Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art.
After their first video of Ooho went viral in 2013, they joined Climate KIC, Europe’s largest funded accelerator focused on climate innovation.
The team started collaborating with chemists and chemical engineers from Imperial College to test Ooho at running events, festivals and takeaway shops. They soon started working on a scalable manufacturing technology.
In April 2017, they raised their pre-seed round on Crowdcube which helped grow the business, build the first machine and set up a manufacturing hub in London.
Sky Ocean Ventures invested in summer 2018 to accelerate the development of the second product and expand the chemistry, commercial, engineering and design teams.
Notpla, the material developed by Skipping Rocks Lab has expanded beyond just Ooho, and in 2019 the startup decided to give it a name and became Notpla.
Funding & investors
In April 2017, we raised £850,000 in a record 3 days on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, thanks to the 900 investors who believed in our vision.
In August 2018, we raised our first VC round from Sky Ocean Ventures.
In December 2019, we raised our seed round led by Impact VC funds Astanor Ventures and Lupa Systems, including participation from Doen Foundation, Torch Capital and our OG crowdfunding investors.
In December 2021, we closed a £10 million Series A financing round led by Horizons Ventures, with participation from existing investors Astanor Ventures, Lupa Systems and Torch Capital.
Notpla Sachets
A plastic-free solution to wasteful sauce pots and condiment sachets.
Notpla sachets are made from seaweed, and can encapsulate a wide range of sauces, salad dressings and condiments. Developed with the takeaway industry in mind, our sachets made with Notpla technology range from 10-60ml. They are 100% biodegradable and can be composted with the rest of your food waste.
Notpla x Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sachet for the takeaway industry
A revolutionary alternative to single-use plastic sauce sachets has arrived! Our Heinz ketchup sachet looks like a little tomato – and naturally composts like one too.
They’re also super cool and easy to use, just nip a corner and squeeze!
The sachet itself is 100% natural, biodegradable, home-compostable and vegan. They can be disposed of (like fruit peel) in a kitchen food waste bin or home-compost after use and will disappear in as little as four to six weeks. You could (if you wanted to) even eat it!
Edible packaging for sports events
Oohos are a fun alternative for hydration on the go replacing the need for plastic cups and bottles at sporting events.
The easy grab-and-go nature of Oohos has been a huge success at large sports events. You might have spotted us at the London Marathon or at Roland-Garros in France!
Ooho!
100% edible and biodegradable packaging!
Ooho replaces single-use packaging for liquids. It is the perfect solution for beverages such as water, juice or alcohol. It’s made from Notpla, our sustainable packaging material combining seaweed and plants.
Most importantly, Ooho is a biodegradable and edible packaging! So it will degrade in 4-6 weeks, just like a piece of fruit. Or you can just eat it, making it ideal for on-the-go consumption!
Exciting cocktails for bars, festivals & private events
Oohos are a novel and immersive experience and offer an exciting way to drink juices, water and even alcohol cocktails on the go without the need for plastic.
Oohos have already replaced plastic at top tier events, such as Glastonbury Festival and DGTL Amsterdam.
Notpla Coating
Finally making food containers fully biodegradable
Our latest product is tackling the problem of food packaging being difficult to recycle. Indeed, most food packaging uses plastic or bioplastic to make cardboard greaseproof, so they can’t be recycled or composted.
Notpla coating gives board greaseproof and water-resistant qualities. It’s made from seaweed and designed to naturally biodegrade.
Notpla Takeaway box
The Notpla takeaway box is our latest packaging solution in our commitment to reducing plastic waste. It replaces plastic containers and plastic-lined board boxes in the takeaway sector.
Designed with sustainability in mind, it is both recyclable and home compostable.
We are going further to make packaging disappear!
Our vision for Notpla coating reaches all stages of production:
Food packaging: classic or custom packaging solutions for food service
Coated board to supply paper converters
Coating powder to supply coaters and paper mills
Notpla Paper
Alleviating pressure on the world’s forests by using the by-products remaining from the industrial processing of seaweed.
Our seaweed-based paper transforms a wasted resource into a quality product. Designed to capture the essence of its origin – the ocean – our premium paper is synthetic-free: it has no synthetic sizing agents or coatings
Distinctive packaging crafted with sustainability at the forefront
Our Notpla Paper transforms packaging into a distinctive asset that supports a mission for a healthier planet. With a unique aesthetic, this paper adds character to eco credentials without sacrificing style or performance.
Notpla Paper has endless applications – from fashion labelling to cosmetic box packaging. Improving sustainability in a new and innovative way.
Notpla Pipettes
Say no to plastic sachets!
Our Pipettes are made from seaweed, and come in a single dose size for easy squeeze control.
We are revolutionising the way oil is packaged. Dispense with plastic sachets, and replace with 100% natural, home-compostable, vegan membrane pipettes. They’re even edible too … if you’re really hungry!
Perfect for applying a drizzle of olive oil on takeaways, restaurant dining or just in a lunch box
Olive oil pipettes for home meal kits, restaurants and takeaways
Our Pipettes are a fun alternative to plastic for encapsulating oil. Easy opening and controlled dosage allow for precise portions so you get just the right amount.
Finish your meals with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, for a Mediterranean twist.
Perfect for pizza, pasta, salads, drizzled over vegetables; in restaurants, at home or on the go.
Notpla Films
Notpla Films are made from 100% seaweed, plant and mineral extracts (no plastic or bio plastic!)
Our versatile films have been designed with the entire lifecycle in mind, breaking down naturally and leaving nothing behind.
Our film is a direct replacement to plastic packaging for dry products or liquids with a low water content. The Notpla films do more than protect your products – they can be functionalized too, through dissolving in water (with their contents too), or have added fragrance.
Hot Water Soluble Film
Our all rounder film, designed to replace single use plastic in packaging. From soluble coffee sachets to clothing polybags, the Notpla film can be used for both primary and secondary packaging.
Cold Water Soluble Film
Make packaging more interesting. Our cold water soluble films starts to breakdown in contact with cooler water so you can get creative with what goes inside.
It’ll be worth it, we promise
By mid 2022 we plan to be ready to sell reels of film to clients.
We are constantly evolving and developing new types of film, including printed films, films with integrated waste materials (e.g. fruit peels), and flavoured films – integrated with spices or sweet flavouring such as honey.
HQ : UK
Inquire about NOTPLA Products.