Kelpi
Tackling the plastic pollution crisis with innovative seaweed solutions
Plastic pollution is a planetary emergency, with a new report for the Environment Investigation Agency calling on global governments to agree to a UN treaty to reduce plastic use.
Unlimited ambition
Plastic pollution is a planetary emergency, with a new report for the Environment Investigation Agency calling on global governments to agree to a UN treaty to reduce plastic use. However, plastic is also a fundamental material in many sectors, as the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp relief through the use of coronavirus test kits, PPE and medical suppliers.
However, for Bath-based startup Kelpi, global plastic pollution is a challenge that they’re willing to take on.
Kelpi is a research and development-led innovation business pioneering sustainable bioplastic packaging made from seaweed and other plant-based biomass. The startup works with large multi-national and global brands in the food and drink, personal healthcare, consumer goods and other sectors to provide effective sustainable packaging materials that can be used instead of plastic.
The company aims to support these global brands in delivering on their corporate goals to eliminate fossil fuel plastics from their supply chains.
Unlimited innovation
Kelpi was incorporated in July 2020, following work by its three co-founders Neil Morris, Professor Chris Chuck, and Murray Kenneth to build a deep-science innovation business to create bioplastics from seaweed. The team use abundant plant biomass like seaweed and have created smart bioplastics which are compostable, and in some cases even recyclable, and which will break down naturally if they end up in the water system or ocean.
Unlimited potential
Land-locked Bath might seem an odd location for a company that primarily uses seaweed. But Kelpi is located here because of its close work with the University of Bath, which conducts direct contract research for the startup. Having access to this world-class facility has enabled the company to synthesise and test its polymers and rapidly iterate its solutions to meet clients’ needs. As the company continues to develop and grow, it will have access to research and development opportunities that allow it to both scale existing innovations, and explore new applications for its products.
Unlimited talent
The Kelpi team is comprised of significant experience in research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Professor of Bioprocessing Engineering Chris Chuck, and Chief Polymer Scientist Stefanie Federle, both of the University of Bath, are both highly published in the field and hold a number of patents for their innovations and extensive experience in developing and synthesising new biopolymers.
The corporate expertise is brought to Kelpi by serial-entrepreneur Neil Morris, who has over thirty years of experience in driving corporate innovation and startup success, and Murray Kenneth who has developed and grown many successful startup businesses across a wide range of sectors.
Professor of Bioprocessing Engineering Chris Chuck, and Chief Polymer Scientist Stefanie Federle, both of the University of Bath.
