European sea packaging company B’ZEOS has secured financing through a seed funding round, led by Faber with contributions from ICIG Ventures to expand its compostable seaweed-based packaging solutions, which are fully bio-based and home-compostable.
The collaboration with Faber and ICIG Ventures will enable B’ZEOS to accelerate product development, meet industry demands, and begin commercial production.
B’ZEOS’ solutions are designed to be compatible with existing packaging production lines, offering versatility across various sectors.
The company has already conducted five paid pilots, including collaborations with partners such as Nestlé, to validate the viability and scalability of its packaging.
Further pilot schemes are planned to showcase the value of B’ZEOS’ solutions, with the potential to reach test-shop stages with partners.
As a raw material, seaweed offers several environmental benefits, including CO₂ sequestration and no reliance on land or fresh water, making it a sustainable choice for packaging.
B’ZEOS founder and CEO Guy Maurice said: “We’ve developed a truly sustainable seaweed-based packaging solution, derived from a variety of seaweed species. We’re not just focused on developing an eco-friendly solution; we are providing an industry-ready, scalable alternative for packaging manufacturers globally.
“Backed by strategic investors and leveraging our extensive experience in the packaging sector, B’ZEOS is poised to lead the way in transforming the industry with our innovative materials.”
The seed funding builds on previous financial support from biotech investor biotope by VIB, ocean-tech accelerator Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and grants from the Research Council of Norway, Global Seaweed Coalition, Innovation Norway, and the Eureka Network’s Eurostars programme.
With the additional seed funding, B’ZEOS will advance its technology readiness level from TRL7 to TRL8.
ICIG Ventures investment director Dr Pelin Yilmaz said: “B’ZEOS is pioneering an exceptional approach to sustainable materials, and we recognise that potential.
“Our partnership with B’ZEOS, complemented by the expertise of our compounding platform, allows us to transition towards fossil-free, compostable packaging. We were impressed by B’ZEOS’ tech-oriented team. Their industry expertise enables them to understand the sustainability needs and requirements of the packaging sector, creating solutions that are both robust and versatile.”
