Based in St Asaph, North Wales, PlantSea is tackling the global issue of plastic pollution head-on through biodegradable, seaweed-based packaging, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. With support from the Welsh Government’s Innovation team, the company is accelerating its research, strengthening partnerships and preparing to scale production, helping to position Wales at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing.
Founded in 2020, the company has grown from early experiments using seaweed collected on the Welsh coastline into a fast-growing business developing sustainable packaging solutions. Its materials are designed to replace plastics used in everyday products such as laundry capsules and dishwasher tablets, dissolving naturally without leaving microplastics behind.
Alex Newnes, CTO and Co-founder of PlantSea, said: “We’re tackling a global issue with a solution that can be produced here in Wales.
“Early support from Welsh Government’s Innovation team gave us the confidence to push forward with something genuinely new, and to start building the technical foundations needed for scale. It’s enabled us to focus our development on what matters commercially.”
The company has received SMART Flexible Innovation Support (FIS) and SMART Partnership support from the Welsh Government’s Innovation team since June 2024. This includes support through SMART FIS Level 1 awarded in June 2024, SMART FIS Level 2 awarded in 2025 and ongoing, and a SMART Partnership with Wrexham University, also ongoing since 2025.
This support enabled the company to:
- Complete a detailed market and technical assessment of seaweed-based additives, strengthening its IP and informing future product development.
- Improve the consistency and performance of its seaweed-based soluble materials, supporting product validation and helping to progress customer relationships towards commercial adoption as an alternative to conventional plastics.
- Access a subsidised research scientist through its SMART Partnership with Wrexham University, while also refining the core chemical processes required for large-scale production, including improving extraction and processing methods for seaweed-derived polymers used in water-soluble films.
Dr Rhiannon Rees, CEO and Co-founder of PlantSea, said: "From cutting-edge research to practical innovation support, Wales is creating the conditions for world-class companies to thrive. It’s an ecosystem that not only nurtures ideas but accelerates them into globally competitive businesses.
"PlantSea winning the EICA Accelerator in 2026 started with grassroots support from Welsh Universities and Welsh Government in 2021.”
The impact of this innovation support is already evident:
- Secured £220,000 equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales in August 2024 as part of a wider £800,000 funding round, strengthening investor confidence.
- Grown its team from 10 to 14 and is preparing to open a biorefinery in North Wales, creating skilled jobs and supporting sustainable manufacturing capability in the region.
- Expanded its international reach, exploring opportunities in markets including the UAE and Australia, while building collaborations with other Welsh businesses.
- Secured a €3.5 million project through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, supporting the development of its first biorefinery in Wales.
Alex added: “The SMART Partnership with Wrexham University has made a huge difference. Access to specialist equipment and a subsidised scientist has enabled us to move faster, test more thoroughly and build the evidence we need to grow. It’s also helped us strengthen our technical understanding, which is critical as we move towards commercial production.”
PlantSea’s success reflects growing demand for alternatives to conventional plastics and shows how innovation in Wales can respond to global environmental challenges.
Its work also supports the Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy priorities. The company’s roots in university-led research highlight the importance of skills and collaboration in turning ideas into real-world solutions.
By developing materials that dissolve without leaving microplastics, it is helping to reduce pollution and support cleaner oceans. At the same time, its use of seaweed as a renewable resource reduces reliance on fossil-fuel plastics and helps protect natural ecosystems.
As it continues to grow and plans to develop a biorefinery in North Wales, it is set to create more skilled jobs and further strengthen the region’s manufacturing base.
Find out more about how SMART Flexible Innovation Support (FIS) and SMART Partnerships can support your organisation. Visit Business Wales Innovation to learn more.