London-based Notpla, a trailblazer in developing scalable materials from seaweeds and plants for sustainable packaging, has successfully raised £20 million in a Series A funding round. This financing reflects a growing interest in innovative solutions that are transforming the sustainable packaging industry, following similar investments in startups like Vytal and Aeropowder.
Investment Details
The latest funding round was spearheaded by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund, with participation from several notable investors, including Catalytic Capital for Climate & Health (C3H), Horizons Ventures, and Astanor. Additional backers included the Schmidt Family Foundation, Radicle Impact, EIT Food’s AgriFoodInvest, Broadwater Cap, Kibo Invest, Rosebrook, Trousdale Ventures, and Ocean Born Foundation. This diverse group of investors highlights the broad recognition of Notpla’s potential in the eco-friendly packaging space.
Accelerating Growth
Notpla plans to use the funds to accelerate its expansion into the North American market, scale up manufacturing capabilities, and broaden its product range. Founded in 2014 by Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Pierre Paslier, Notpla has quickly emerged as a leader in sustainable packaging. Their product offerings include seaweed-coated food containers, edible liquid bubbles, and flexible film replacements, all designed to replace single-use plastics.
The company has already made significant strides in reducing plastic waste, having replaced over 13 million single-use plastic items in the environment, with plans to increase that number to over 100 million units annually within the next two years. Major corporations across Europe, including Compass Group, Decathlon, and Just Eat Takeaway.com, have adopted Notpla’s innovative packaging solutions, which are both plastic-free and home-compostable. Notpla’s materials are currently utilized in ten European markets and are helping eliminate plastic waste in prestigious venues such as Aston Villa FC, The O2 Arena, Allianz Stadium, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Insights from Co-Founders
Rodrigo García González, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Notpla, expressed his excitement about the investment: “We are thrilled to have secured this level of investment in such a competitive environment. This round not only validates our approach but also positions us to capitalize on the growing demand for truly plastic-free packaging solutions in global markets, especially as we develop our material’s possibilities.”
Co-Founder and Co-CEO Pierre Paslier added, “Our investors recognize the commercial potential of our technology and our unique solutions. This funding allows us to accelerate our growth and continue leading the market in sustainable innovation.”
Investor Perspectives
Ryan Tan, Director at C3H, commented, “Notpla’s business is well aligned with Temasek Trust’s impact focus areas. We believe that Notpla’s strong customer traction and product innovation position them well for further business expansion, as they realize even more impact and reduce the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics. We are proud to be part of Notpla’s journey and to see it growing from strength to strength since winning The Earthshot Prize, of which we are a Founding Partner.”
David Walker, Senior Partner at UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund, noted, “Notpla’s innovative approach to sustainable packaging, particularly its use of seaweed as a renewable resource, represents a groundbreaking shift away from traditional single-use plastics. This investment aligns perfectly with our mission to drive green growth and promote sustainable practices across industries. We’re excited to partner with Notpla as they scale their operations and continue to lead the charge in reducing the environmental impact of packaging globally.”
Notpla’s successful funding round marks a significant step forward in the fight against single-use plastics. With their innovative solutions and commitment to sustainability, Notpla is poised to make a substantial impact in the packaging industry, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future. As they expand into new markets and enhance their manufacturing capabilities, the potential for positive environmental change continues to grow.
Featured Image: Credit: Notpla
