Stef working at bench

Source: Kelpi

Kelpi has raised more than £3m in funding to develop plastic-free packaging solutions made from seaweed. 

The funds, raised from VCs and angel investors, will go towards developing “renewably sourced” and “marine-safe” packaging for food, drink and cosmetics packaging.

Kelpi’s biodegradable packaging solutions aim to replace single-use synthetic materials in retail. 

The Bristol-based business has been backed by Science Creates Ventures and Green Angel Syndicate, with funding from One Planet Capital and follow-on investment from Bristol Private Equity Club, together with private angel investors. 

The round, which kicked off in June 2022, also includes £600k of funding from Innovate UK’s Combined Investor Partnership. 

In the past two-and-a-half years, the company claims to have developed “high-performance” materials from seaweed, featuring a “uniquely strong water and oxygen barrier”, as well as “grease and acid resistance”.

“We’re delighted to receive this backing from specialist deep science and sustainability investors like Science Creates Ventures and Green Angel Syndicate,” said CEO and co-founder Neil Morris.

The funds would allow Kelpi “to accelerate our pioneering work with major food and drink companies worldwide to prove our materials at scale”, he added.