Notpla is a materials-innovation company that creates natural, seaweed-derived packaging and coatings intended to disappear harmlessly after use. The firm is now spearheading a three-year consortium to design a market-ready coffee cup featuring a fully natural, plastic-free coating that can be home-composted. Backed by a €4 million Horizon Europe grant, the project will investigate new coating chemistries, scalable production methods and real-world performance testing that comply with EU waste-management regulations. Notpla’s existing solutions have already displaced more than 35 million plastic single-use items across food service, events and retail. By targeting the estimated 500 billion disposable cups used annually, the company seeks to unlock a major new application for its technology. Fourteen partners spanning material science, manufacturing, academia and food service will collaborate to ensure the cup performs under high-volume hospitality conditions. The non-dilutive funding strengthens Notpla’s balance sheet while expanding its IP portfolio and product roadmap. Successful execution could position Notpla as a leading supplier of plastic-free packaging to global beverage and hospitality markets.

Total raised

$45M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Jan 2026