Notpla - the UK-based sustainable packaging pioneer and winner of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize 2022 - is proud to share that its seaweed-based food packaging coating - Notpla Coating - has been officially recognised as plastic-free by the Dutch government, which is applying the strictest interpretation of the “non-plastic” definition under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. This demonstrates Notpla’s viability as a future-proof solution as further markets enact restrictions.
As part of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD, entering into force in July 2021), the EU revealed the first definition of plastic: “plastic” means a material consisting of polymers that are either chemically modified or synthetically polymerised. The law requested EU
Member States to prohibit certain single-use plastic items and put in place marking requirements through their national legislation.
Made from seaweed and plant extracts, Notpla Coating is exempted from this law. Notpla’s technology provides an internal coating for food takeaway boxes to retain moisture and grease in food and maintain the robustness of the packaging. This natural solution replaces traditional plastic coatings and nasty chemical treatments that are otherwise found in traditional food boxes. Designed to leave no trace, Notpla packaging can be recycled with paper or composted at home, leaving no harmful toxins or micro-plastics in our environment.
After a thorough independent assessment by global sustainability consultancy, Eunomia Research & Consulting, Notpla Coating was confirmed as fully compliant with the EU SUPD, and therefore is not plastic. It is classified as a natural polymer and has been shown not to have been chemically modified*2. Further positive assessment was received by the Dutch government - the nation which is currently taking the strictest stance on enforcing the SUPD of any EU member state by imposing a tax on disposable cups and containers that contain plastic*.
“Eunomia has concluded that the polymer utilised by Notpla within their packaging products may be defined as a natural polymer that is not chemically modified and is therefore not considered to be ‘plastic’ as defined by the EU SUP Directive.” Conclusion of Eunomia report
“We are thrilled to have our seaweed-based coating recognised as fully compliant with the EU SUPD, having passed the most rigorous assessments in Europe,” said Pierre-Paslier, Co-Founder of Notpla “This sets Notpla apart and aligns perfectly with our mission to reduce society’s dependence on plastic. We look forward to working with businesses across the EU to meet sustainability targets and make a tangible environmental difference.”
This major milestone means Notpla-coated packaging will be exempt from upcoming bans and taxes on disposable plastic food packaging in any European country. In the case of the Netherlands, as the only approved plastic-free technology to date, Notpla coating is the sole solution food businesses can trust to be compliant. Other technologies claiming to be ‘plastic-free'' such as aqueous coating, which still contains hidden plastics, are currently not exempt from the tax.
*Plastic as defined by the EU SUPD guidelines
*2 Not chemically modified means that the structure has to remain unchanged even if it has gone through chemical processes.