Transforming seaweed into an ocean-friendly packaging alternative to plastic is a business project being developed by University of Canterbury biochemistry student Olivia Cooper. The University of Canterbury second-year biochemistry student has developed a flexible seaweed film to replace petroleum-based packaging and already had two bakeries showing interest in a prototype. Her PacSea — formerly called GreenShift Packaging — business project was a last-minute entry in a venture accelerator programme at the university. Miss Cooper said the seaweed packaging project was still in its infancy, but had already got a good reception. Through trial and error, she has come up with a pliable packaging film that works.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 28, 2026 15:35 UTC