We present to you one of the standout startups from our goCircular Radar community, B’ZEOS. We interviewed their SeaPO, Camilla Dore, who holds a PhD in materials science.
What problem does your startup address, and what solution does it propose?
Recycling small and flexible packaging is particularly challenging due to its size, and in the case of food packaging, because of contamination from food residues.
B’ZEOS offers biodegradable packaging solutions made from seaweed extracts. Seaweed is a renewable and abundant resource that provides several environmental benefits. Unlike land-based plants, seaweed growth doesn’t require land and doesn’t compete with food crops. It grows rapidly in the ocean, where it captures CO2 and releases O2, playing a vital role in marine ecosystems. Moreover, our packaging is produced using conventional plastic manufacturing machinery without requiring any modifications.
How and why did you embark on this entrepreneurial journey? Any advice from your experience for future entrepreneurs?
After completing my PhD in material science, I was determined to work in a field related to sustainability, ideally developing new products based on innovative materials. When I discovered B’ZEOS, I was drawn to the challenge they were addressing and immediately joined the team, particularly because I have always been passionate about the ocean and its ecosystems. I believe that protecting the ocean is one of the fundamental pillars for safeguarding our planet. Joining such a small, newly-formed team was like jumping in at the deep end, but based on my experience, I would advise future entrepreneurs not to be afraid to do the same. It has been an exciting journey, filled with continuous learning.
How do you anticipate the sector will evolve, and what are your expectations for your startup?
I expect the bioplastics and sustainable packaging sector to continue evolving rapidly in the coming years, driven by increasing environmental awareness and regulatory pressures. As technologies improve, we will see more efficient and cost-effective bioplastics, facilitating their large-scale adoption. Additionally, new packaging solutions based on biodegradable and compostable materials are likely to be developed, including our algae-based packaging. Collaboration between companies, governments, and consumers will be key to accelerating this transition towards a more sustainable future in packaging and waste reduction.
Any upcoming developments you would like to share with other startups?
We are about to close our investment round, which will allow us to expand our team and move to a larger laboratory with a pilot-scale production machine. This will enable us to accelerate the development of our material, and we aim to have a product on the market before the end of next year.
In which areas would you like to collaborate with other startups, companies, or organisations?
We are very open to collaborating with other startups, universities, or technology centres working across the value chain, from seaweed cultivation to other sustainable materials. We are also open to collaborations with companies interested in testing our materials and packaging products.