Oceans play a critical role in regulating our climate and weather patterns and offer a variety of rapidly renewable resources that support a petroleum-free future. Aquatic plants and algae, such as eelgrass, kelp, and seaweed, represent an exciting frontier for material science. Material innovators are discovering their potential to replace harmful, fossil fuel-based materials with carbon sequestering, healthy alternatives.
This virtual event brings together leaders who are pioneering the use of biobased materials made from marine resources to develop market-ready products that offer numerous health and environmental benefits. A marine research scientist provides context on pollutants and solutions for the world’s oceans.
Abby Barrows, marine scientist, researcher and oyster farmer, shares her microplastics research in the oceans noting “The more places we look, the more places we find this pollutant”. She and her team are actively implementing plastic-free materials for aquaculture and oyster cultivation. Tobias Øhrstrøm, co-founder and Head of R&D, Design & Creative Direction of Søuld, reminds us that for centuries, eelgrass has been used as roof thatching material. He shares the undertaking of producing a carbon-negative building material. “Søuld uses less CO2 in production than they are sequestering.” Celine Sandberg, founder and CEO of Agoprene, speaks candidly about her team’s mission to replace petroleum-based foam, and presents their novel seaweed-based foam using kelp and other natural ingredients including crab shells and eggshells.
Read the speaker bios here and watch the event recording here.
Here are some of the resources shared in the chat exchanges from audience participants:
- Bantry Bay Kelp Forest
- Billion Oyster Project
- Center for Algal Innovation: Microplastic Project
- RETI Center
- @sust_ainable account by Eldy Lazaro, former HML Role Models winner, conducting doctoral research on gelatin biofoams for pressure sensors, foam yars and interactive textiles
- The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products