Notpla, the UK-based sustainable packaging pioneer and winner of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize 2022, proudly announces that its seaweed-based food packaging coating, Notpla Coating, has been officially recognized as plastic-free by the Dutch government. The Dutch government applies the strictest interpretation of the “non-plastic” definition under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. This recognition showcases Notpla’s viability as a future-proof solution as more markets implement restrictions.
As part of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), which came into effect in July 2021, the EU defined plastic as “a material consisting of polymers that are either chemically modified or synthetically polymerized.” The law requires EU Member States to prohibit certain single-use plastic items and establish marking requirements through their national legislation.
Notpla Coating, made from seaweed and plant extracts, is exempt from this law. Notpla’s technology provides an internal coating for food takeaway boxes, preserving moisture, grease, and packaging strength. This natural solution replaces traditional plastic coatings and harmful chemical treatments often found in conventional food boxes. Designed to leave no trace, Notpla packaging can be recycled with paper or composted at home, minimizing the release of toxins and micro-plastics into the environment.
Following an extensive independent assessment by global sustainability consultancy, Eunomia Research & Consulting, Notpla Coating has been confirmed as fully compliant with the EU SUPD, meaning it is not plastic. It is classified as a natural polymer and has been proven not to have undergone any chemical modifications*. The Dutch government, which enforces the SUPD most strictly among EU member states and imposes a tax on disposable cups and containers containing plastic, has also assessed Notpla Coating positively.
“Eunomia has concluded that the polymer used 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.” – Eunomia report
“We are thrilled to have our seaweed-based coating recognized 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 collaborating with businesses across the EU in meeting sustainability targets and making a tangible environmental difference.”
This significant achievement ensures that 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, where it is currently the only approved plastic-free technology, Notpla coating is the sole compliant solution for food businesses. Other technologies that claim to be “plastic-free,” such as aqueous coating, which still contains hidden plastics, are not exempt from the tax.
*Plastic as defined by the EU SUPD guidelines
*2 Not chemically modified means that the structure remains unchanged even after undergoing chemical processes.
