Indonesia is the largest global producer of red seaweed, which can be used to make bio-plastics and packaging. It is also the fourth worst country for marine plastic pollution after China and has committed to reduce marine waste by 70% by 2025. At present, most bio-plastics are derived from sources such as cassava, corn and sugarcane. Seaweed can be grown cheaply and without use of fresh water or chemicals. Seaweed beds also de-acidify water and serve as carbon sinks. Indonesian start-up Evoware, which is already producing seaweed products, including packaging, by hand hopes to be fully automated next year.
Indonesia is the largest global producer of red seaweed, which can be used to make bio-plastics and packaging. It is also the second worst country for marine plastic pollution after China and has committed to reduce marine waste by 70% by 2025. At present, most bio-plastics are derived from sources such as cassava, corn and sugarcane. Seaweed can be grown cheaply and without use of fresh water or chemicals. Seaweed beds also de-acidify water and serve as carbon sinks. Indonesian start-up Evoware, which is already producing seaweed products, including packaging, by hand hopes to be fully automated next year.