Norwegian startup Agoprene has developed a sustainable alternative to foam rubber, found in sofas, chairs, and other soft furnishings, by using seaweed. Globally, furniture foam, which is derived from petroleum, accounts for 105 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Agoprene's seaweed foam meets these environmental challenges head-on.
'In the furniture industry, everyone knows that foam is bad for the environment and no one wants to use it, but there are no other alternatives. I want to supply a more sustainable alternative to what we have today, with no petrochemicals', says Celine Sandberg, the company's founder and CEO in an article on Wired.
Embracing the vast resources of the ocean, Agoprene ensures up to 80% of our materials are directly sourced from the sea. 'We harness nature's abundance responsibly, creating seaweed foam that's both sustainable and in tune with the environment. It's so clean that you could eat it. (We strongly advise against eating our foam, but if you decide to go ahead, you'll be just fine)', the brand mentions on their website.
The startup, part of the BioInnovation Institute's Venture Lab acceleration program, plans to bring its sustainable foam products to the market at the end of the year.
Read the full article here.