Environment

Indonesia's Evoware: Enjoy Edible Food Packaging

Evoware is Waging War on Plastic Packaging With Edible Seaweed Cups and Wrappers

24.07.2018 | by Kezia Parkins
Photo by ... on laughingsquid
Photo by ... on laughingsquid
Jakarta-based startup Evoware is one of those few eco-centric companies that have decided to take concrete steps against plastic pollution. Evoware is using cutting-edge technology to produce cups and food packaging material from seaweed that is not only bio-degradable, but, in some cases, also edible.

Indonesia, which has some of the world’s filthiest rivers, has joined a United Nations-led cleanup drive after being rated the second-biggest plastic marine polluter, behind China. Evoware co-founder David Christian said the idea of seaweed-based edible packaging was spurred by his desire to limit plastic pollution over the last few years in his hometown of Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital of 10 million people.

After the success of the first product the company developed, the seaweed-based jelly cup, Evoware is expanding into other types of packaging, such as dissolvable sachets for coffee or seasonings.

According to Christian, Indonesia produces 10 million tonnes of seaweed each year, which is believed to reach 19 million tonnes by 2020.

“I saw how much plastic waste is produced here, which takes hundreds or thousands of years to degrade and contaminates everything.”
– David Christian, Co-Founder, Evoware

However, Evoware’s products, now made by hand, still have some way to go before they can compete with plastic on price. The edible seaweed Ello Jello cone can be up to five times more expensive than ordinary crepe cones. On top of that, it uses plastic and paper wrapping to preserve its texture. 

 

Edible Cups by Evoware
Source: Tech in Asia

 

Dr. Noryawati Mulyono has been the most crucial driver of the innovation against plastic pollution. A specialist in agricultural sciences, Dr. Mulyono is the product developer at Evoware, responsible for creating the seaweed packaging and the edible utensil material. The research for developing the food packaging has been underway since 2010.

In 2012, Dr. Mulyono became the runner-up at Wismilak Diplomat Success Challenge and got a grant to develop bioplastic production capacity from small scale to prototype scale.

Bio-Degradable Edible Seaweed
Source: Greenbiz

Some of the wraps, such as those for power protein bars, burgers and waffles, are edible. Others, such as the ones for dry foods like tea, instant noodles or cereal, are meant to dissolve quickly when liquid is introduced. Still others, notably those used for soaps or sanitary napkin packaging, will biodegrade over time.

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David Christian

Evoware

Dr. Noryawati Mulyono

 

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David Christian

Evoware

Dr. Noryawati Mulyono

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"Our mission is to create innovative solutions from seaweed to solve the plastic waste issue while increasing the livelihood of Indonesia's seaweed farmers"
- Evoware Team

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