Seaweed Best Case: Plastic free packaging at scale
2026-03-24
Conpax and Notpla have joined forces with Dutch snack chain Kwalitaria, which operates over 130 locations, to introduce a new generation of fully plastic free food packaging. By replacing the conventional plastic lining in cardboard containers with a seaweed based coating, Kwalitaria is taking a concrete step towards eliminating plastic from its fries and snack packaging.
While many paper based food containers still rely on hidden plastic layers, this solution removes plastic entirely. The seaweed coating provides the necessary barrier properties without compromising recyclability or adding persistent waste to the environment. The result is packaging that is both functional and genuinely plastic free, as confirmed by the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.
The impact is already measurable. On an annual basis, the switch is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 100 tonnes and cut plastic waste by nearly 7 tonnes. This demonstrates that seaweed materials are not only a promising alternative, but a viable solution at commercial scale.
This collaboration between Conpax, Notpla and Kwalitaria shows how innovation in materials can translate into real world application. It is a strong example of how the food service sector can move away from plastic without compromising on performance, and how seaweed can play a key role in that transition.
