[Case Study]
MarinaTex
Lucy Hughes, Founder and COO
MarinaTex is a material innovation company developing sustainable alternatives to problematic single-use plastics. Its focus is on harnessing untapped natural waste streams – particularly from the fishing industry – to create high-performance, compostable films and coatings that can be used across packaging and agriculture.
By working with marine-derived waste, including seafood byproducts and algae, MarinaTex is transforming materials that would otherwise be incinerated into valuable, planet-friendly products. This approach not only eliminates waste, but also avoids reliance on land-based resources typically used for bioplastics. Its materials are designed to break down in real-world conditions, avoiding microplastic pollution and aligning with existing recycling systems.
Unlike conventional bioplastics, which often require industrial composting and still pose end-of-life challenges, MarinaTex products are designed to integrate into circular systems from the outset. Its protective coatings, for example, can be applied to fibre-based packaging and recycled within the paper stream – eliminating the need for non-recyclable plastic films. They also offer antimicrobial and barrier properties that extend product shelf life, supporting both environmental and commercial outcomes.
MarinaTex is currently based in Brighton, with partnerships and collaborators spanning the UK and beyond. Its coatings are set to launch in 2026, with films to follow. While MarinaTex is not yet in market, the company’s focus is on building long-term infrastructure and partnerships that can deliver scale without compromise.
MarinaTex believes that the future of materials lies in working with nature, not against it. By aligning material innovation with ecological processes, it is helping industries transition away from fossil-based plastics toward solutions that are effective, responsible and built for circularity from day one.