Marinatex, an innovative bioplastic
By Lucy Hughes - Class of 2019
Marinatex is a bioplastic created from fish skin and scales and red algae which could have a huge impact on limiting the amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste created in the world. The fully biodegradable and compostable material has been designed as an environmentally-responsible replacement for plastic film currently used in a whole host of packaging including sandwich boxes. It can biodegrade in a soil environment in less than a month and can be disposed of through ordinary food waste collections.
The process
My project began with a visit to MCB Seafoods in Newhaven. MCB are a wholesalers who process fish to be sent out to their customers across the country. On my visit, I was shown areas of the process that produce waste known as waste streams. One of the waste streams that caught my eye were the skins and scales. Although a waste product, the fish skins and scales are rich in properties that have become the basis of my material, combined with organic binding agents.
It took months of experimenting to refine the components and process to produce a consistent product. I am currently exploring the properties of the material and working on how it can be applied to replace single use plastics.
AWARDS
Marinatex received a John Lewis Loves award at the New Designers show and is the Britain finalist for the annual Dyson Award.
PreSS
ABOUT LUCY
