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Seaweed Biopolymers in Packaging
Summary
This review rounds up existing research on using seaweed to make food packaging and edible films instead of plastic, since seaweed-based materials can naturally break down and even help keep food fresh longer by blocking oxygen and germs. Swapping out conventional plastic for seaweed alternatives could mean less plastic waste and fewer microplastics ending up in our food and water — though the technology is still being refined for wider commercial use.
The rapid increase in plastic pollution has intensified the search for sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials. Seaweed-derived biopolymers have emerged as promising alternatives due to their biodegradability, renewability, film-forming ability, and functional properties. Polysaccharides extracted from marine macroalgae, including alginate, carrageenan, and agar, are widely explored for edible films and bio-packaging applications. Seaweed biofilms possess excellent oxygen barrier properties, antimicrobial potential, and compatibility with active packaging systems (Sudhakar et al., 2021). Furthermore, industrial innovations such as edible water pods and biodegradable takeaway coatings demonstrate the commercial viability of seaweed-based packaging technologies (InsightAce Analytic, 2026). This review summarizes the chemistry, production methods, applications, advantages, limitations, and prospects of seaweed-derived biofilms for sustainable food packaging.