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California, US-based clean-tech start-up, Sway, has revealed a new technology that it says can enable seaweed to replace flexible plastics at scale. The new thermoplastic seaweed resin packaging, named TPSea, is a 100% biobased, home-compostable, microplastic-free ingredient. Made from seaweed, a regenerative ocean crop that can replenish ecosystems and support coastal communities, the start-up claims that TPSea represents a new category of biopolymer resin. TPSea is designed to mesh “seamlessly with the most scaled plastic manufacturing systems available”. Sway’s product portfolio made with TPSea includes polybags, retail bags and food wrappers for consumer brands – these take up around 30% of all single-use plastic packaging. The launch comes days after Sway announced it had successfully closed a $5 million seed round led by Third Nature Investments. The funds will be used to support the scaling of Sway’s product portfolio and to speed-up TPSea’s adoption in various industries. Julia Marsh, CEO & co-founder of Sway, said: “Clean oceans, abundant biodiversity and thriving coastal economies all intertwine with Sway’s success as we accelerate production in 2024. We believe everyday materials should help to replenish the planet from sea to soil.” She concluded: “The launch of our thermoplastic seaweed materials, along with an influx of new capital targeted at scaling production, signifies tangible progress toward a more circular future”. TPSea resin, rolls of film and finished packaging are available now for use by packaging manufacturers and consumer brands.