Amcor explores Kelpi’s seaweed-based coating technology for AmFiber fibre packaging platform

SWITZERLAND – Amcor has partnered with UK-based Kelpi to evaluate a seaweed-based coating platform for fibre packaging, as the packaging giant looks to expand its AmFiber solutions with barrier performance and paper recyclability.

The collaboration aligns with Amcor’s innovation strategy to develop sustainable packaging without compromising functionality, with R&D teams currently assessing Kelpi’s bio-based coating technology. 

Potential benefits include reduced reliance on fossil fuel-derived feedstocks and increased use of renewable resources, which could contribute to a lower carbon footprint.

Kelpi’s Seaweed Solution Combines Barrier Performance with Paper Recycling Compatibility

Kelpi, founded in 2020 by Neil Morris, Murray Kenneth, and Professor Chris Chuck, has developed a coating from sustainably farmed red seaweed combined with vegetable oils.

The ultra-thin barrier layer, applied at just 0.01mm thickness, is engineered to provide excellent water and oxygen resistance while remaining fully recyclable and biodegradable.

Unlike other seaweed-based packaging that targets short-term use, Kelpi’s material is designed for 12-month shelf life, making it suitable for food, beverage, personal care and home care applications. 

The company is currently navigating food-contact approval, a process that has taken approximately three years. 

This approval pathway is critical for commercial deployment, as regulatory compliance ensures the material meets stringent safety standards required for direct food contact across global markets.

Amcor’s Innovation Pipeline and Ellen MacArthur Foundation Alignment

Amcor AmFiber R&D director Peter Ettridge stated that the collaboration supports the company’s material innovation pipeline and responds to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s call for accelerated innovation in paper-based flexible packaging. 

Amcor Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation vice-president Frank Lehmann noted that partnering with companies like Kelpi is key to bringing new technologies into the innovation ecosystem, with the approach to leveraging nature-sourced materials that won’t compromise packaging performance being particularly promising. 

Amcor reported annualised sales of US$23 billion from operations spanning 400 locations in more than 40 countries. 

The assessment could add to the range of products in Amcor’s AmFiber fibre-based packaging platform. 

By combining Kelpi’s technology with Amcor’s scale and global R&D capabilities, the companies aim to evaluate commercially viable, scalable solutions for customers across various consumer goods sectors, supporting a circular economy for packaging. 

The partnership also underscores a broader industry shift towards bio-based alternatives, where marine-derived materials are increasingly being explored for their potential to replace conventional plastic-based barrier layers.

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