MÉRIDA, Mexico – A Yucatán-based startup is transforming one of the Caribbean’s most pressing environmental challenges into a viable industrial opportunity. By converting invasive sargassum algae—which plagues coastal regions—into sustainable bioplastics, the company offers an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-derived packaging materials.
Bioplaster Research specializes in developing biomaterials for packaging, the textile industry, and various other production processes. According to CEO Andrea Bonilla Brunner, the company is currently the only one in Mexico to manufacture bioplastics from invasive algae. She noted that while other companies in the sector utilize natural growth algae like kelp, which offers higher yields, Bioplaster Research is strictly science-based, focusing on the repurposing of invasive species.
A Science-Driven Innovation
The startup’s product line includes alternatives to Styrofoam (unicel) for impact absorption, flexible packaging to replace polypropylene bags, and materials designed to replace “playo” (plastic wrap) commonly used to secure and protect merchandise. The company also explores biomaterials with various textile applications.
The journey began in late 2019 while Bonilla Brunner was pursuing a doctorate at the University of Oxford. During her studies, she developed biomaterials for medical applications, such as tissue engineering, using algae extracts. In 2022, the company secured its first round of venture capital investment, incorporated in the United States, and began full-time experimental development of its materials.
Industrial Scaling and Market Strategy
Bioplaster Research is currently finalizing the installation of a factory in Mérida, Yucatán, where it also operates its laboratory. The company has imported machinery from China to produce mailer bags for the e-commerce sector, while scaling production for plastic wraps and foams.
Bonilla Brunner expects to begin commercializing the first sargassum-based products in approximately two months. While the initial phase will focus on the domestic market, the long-term objective is to partner with multinational corporations.
The company faces the inherent challenge of competing with the low costs of petroleum-based plastics, as biodegradable materials are often more expensive. However, Bioplaster Research aims to remain competitive by targeting the market for kraft paper bags used in e-commerce.
“Our materials are significantly more resistant to puncture, tearing, and water. They can also be transparent, which is a vital requirement for packaging items like clothing,” Bonilla Brunner explained. She added that the properties of their biomaterials can be customized to meet specific industrial needs, such as increasing hardness, durability, or elasticity.
Furthermore, the company is positioning itself to benefit from increasingly stringent global regulations. “There are many factors helping us become more competitive, such as prohibitive regulations on single-use plastics. For example, California has already implemented extra taxes on petroleum derivatives, which makes our sustainable alternatives much more cost-competitive,” she highlighted.
The post Yucatán Startup Converts Invasive Sargassum Algae into Sustainable Bioplastics first appeared on Mexico Daily Post.