Kelpi partners with University of Bath
University of Bath team who’ll deliver the Kelpi contract (pic taken before Covid)
A new generation of biopolymer composites created from seaweed is a step closer today after the signing of a partnership agreement between pioneering bioplastics company Kelpi and the University of Bath. Using seaweed to create biodegradable packaging in this way will reduce dependence on single-use plastics made from fossil fuels.
Under the new contract, a project team at the university will synthesise biopolymer composites from seaweed using Kelpi’s unique methodology. The team will then test these against a range of criteria, enabling Kelpi to rapidly advance a series of commercial products based on the biopolymers.
The contract allows Bath-based biotech start-up Kelpi to draw on world-leading facilities and expertise to accelerate their testing processes.
Neil Morris, Chief Executive of Kelpi, said: “This partnership between Kelpi and the University of Bath will cement our position as one of the leading innovators in the world in this sector. Our already rapid progress in bringing new bioplastic products to market will now benefit from the capability that only a globally-ranked university can offer.”
Chris Chuck, Professor of Bioprocess Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath, said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring the world-leading capability here at the University of Bath to work to support the highly innovative technology and passionate entrepreneurial team at Kelpi.”
The new contract comes just eight months after Kelpi joined the Sustainable Technologies Business Acceleration Hub, a programme delivered by the University of Bath through its Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies. Pete Keevill, entrepreneur in residence at STBAH, said: “It’s great to see a STBAH member company like Kelpi take their partnership with the University to the next stage. This is another success story for STBAH in building partnerships between university and industry to create world-leading businesses.”