Description: The use of single-use packaging materials has increased dramatically in recent decades in parallel with increasing trends in convenience and fast-food. Most of these packaging materials are made of non-biodegradable, petroleum-based polymers that have degradative impacts on the environment and contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis. Finding alternative packaging materials is an important step towards building a bio-based circular economy. Sustainable land-based macroalgae cultivation can provide a solution, as it eliminates land-use pressure on coastal areas, doesn’t interfere with recreational activities or agriculture, reduces seasonal limitations, allows for complete control over product quality, and ensures consistent quality and traceability. Here, we present the success story of land-based macroalgae production for sustainable packaging solutions in the food industry via the Mak-Pak and Mak-Pak Scale-Up projects

Description: The mission of the Mak Pak Scale Up project 2021 present) is to develop a seaweed based food packaging material and to sustainably scale up the production of seaweed, including Ulva spp in a recirculating land based facility supplemented with artificial seawater that requires a selection and optimization of the seaweed of interest The Ulva genus has previously shown high plasticity and capacity to acclimate and develop under broad ranges of environmental conditions, suggesting this may be a promising candidate for production in a RAS with low salinity artificial seawater Selecting an Ulva strain well adapted to such conditions will help reduce the costs of salt and, therefore, optimize production The aim of this study was to determine how salinity can be used and adapted throughout the entire Ulva production to define several key points 1 strain selection 2 nursery and seeding 3 optimized production in adult Ulva and 4 increasing functionality (e g high antioxidant activity) Based on the results of three different experiments, it was possible to conclude how salinity impacts different strains of Ulva (tubular and blade species) from warm temperate environments, during three key moments of their development and with that, conclude which strains would be more suited to be scaled up within the scope of land based production At the same time, the data presented serve as a baseline for further work with Ulva under different cultivation conditions

Description: Haben Sie schon einmal darüber nachgedacht, dass Meeresalgen eine Lösung für die weltweite Plastikverschmutzungskrise bieten könnten? Die Verwendung von Einweg-Verpackungsmaterialien hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten parallel zu den zunehmenden Trends in Sachen Convenience und Fast-Food dramatisch zugenommen. Die meisten dieser Verpackungsmaterialien bestehen aus biologisch nicht abbaubaren, erdölbasierten Polymeren, die sich negativ auf die Umwelt auswirken und zur globalen Plastikverschmutzungskrise beitragen. Die Plastikverschmutzung in den Ozeanen zerstört die Ökosysteme und bedroht in der Folge unsere eigene Gesundheit, die Lebensmittelsicherheit und den Küstentourismus. Die Suche nach alternativen Verpackungsmaterialien ist ein wichtiger Schritt zum Aufbau einer biobasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft und zum Erreichen unserer Nachhaltigkeitsziele. Unsere Ozeane könnten eine Lösung in Form von Makroalgen bieten. Das Mak-Pak Scale-Up Projekt konzentriert sich auf die Skalierung und Optimierung der Produktion von Meeresalgen, um nachhaltiges, biologisch abbaubares und/oder essbares Verpackungsmaterial auf Makroalgenbasis für die Fast-Food-Industrie zu schaffen, das potenziell Einweg-Plastikverpackungen ersetzen könnte. Dieser Vortrag stellt das Mak-Pak Scale-Up Projekt vor, einschließlich des Hintergrunds, der wichtigsten Errungenschaften, der aktuellen Aktivitäten und der Zukunftspläne im Rahmen der UN-Nachhaltigkeitsziele und der Kreislaufwirtschaft.

Description: Introduction The use of single-use packaging materials has increased dramatically in recent decades in parallel with increasing trends in convenience and fast-food. Most of these packaging materials are made of non-biodegradable, petroleum-based polymers that have degradative impacts on the environment and contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis. Finding alternative packaging materials is an important step towards building a bio-based circular economy. Sustainable land-based macroalgae cultivation can provide a solution, as it eliminates land-use pressure on coastal areas, doesn’t interfere with recreational activities or agriculture, reduces seasonal limitations, allows for complete control over product quality, and ensures consistent quality and traceability. Here, we present the success story of land-based macroalgae production for sustainable packaging solutions in the food industry via the Mak-Pak and Mak-Pak Scale-Up projects. Materials and Methods An initial screening of local macroalgae species was conducted based on detailed knowledge of growth rates, seasonality, geographic range, edibility, iodine content, biochemical properties, bioactivity, robustness and ease of cultivation. Different combinations of selected macroalgae were tested to develop a biodegradable, edible packaging prototype that was rated by consumer tests. In a follow-up project, we are focusing on eliminating the biggest bottleneck: scaling-up biomass production. We have partnered with a local, innovative farmer to sustainably scale-up and optimize biomass production for our sustainable, biodegradable macroalgae-based packaging material for the food industry. Results Several species of suitable macroalgae were selected based on the screening protocol and a method for using different combinations of selected species is described in a patent application for the packaging prototype. The packaging prototype was positively reviewed in consumer tests, where the consumers were pleasantly surprised by the neutral taste and smell. We could also show that certain components of the macroalgae that are important for packaging functionality (e.g. antioxidant activity) could be optimized during land-based production in artificial seawater. Currently we are in the early stages of scaling-up production and selecting strains to optimize growth rates and robustness, where we can complete the life cycle of one selected species from single cells to mature gametophytes within 6 weeks. With controlled induction of reproduction, we can continually provide material for transplantation to large-scale systems. Discussion The Mak-Pak and Mak-Pak Scale-Up projects have been featured in numerous news articles, exhibitions, and podcasts throughout Germany, Europe and even New Zealand. Our experience has shown that there is a lot of public interest in macroalgae-based packaging solutions. Consumers have become aware of the plastic pollution crisis and are open to alternatives to plastic packaging. Consequently, we have recently seen rapid changes in packaging trends in the cosmetic and food industries. Here we show that it is possible to produce a biodegradable, edible packaging from macroalgae biomass for the food-industry. Not only is this a success story for sustainable aquaculture, but also for macroalgae cultivation in general. This project has increased public awareness of macroalgae and contributed to a dialogue about the diversity of products and services that macroalgae can provide as we strive towards a sustainable, circular economy. However, optimization of the raw material production as well as the packaging itself is still underway. Furthermore, limitations in the food-industry require that our raw material meets high quality standards. In other industries where the quality of the raw material is not a limiting factor, there is enormous potential for macroalgae-based packaging solutions.