Natural Edge is a materials research company creating high-performance, bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics. A current project is our seaweed-derived film: a compostable, transparent substrate for packaging that avoids PLA, PBAT and PHA.
Seaweed Based Film Features
- Display clarity for product visibility
- Sealability for packaging integrity
- Balanced moisture barrier properties
- Multiple compostable pathways
Why Natural Materials Matter
Truly nature-based
Derived from renewable seaweed biomass, not fossil feedstocks or crop-based polymers that compete with food production.
Functional in use
Maintains the technical performance required for packaging applications: clarity, heat seal strength, and moisture control.
Cleaner end-of-life
Designed for industrial and home composting pathways, breaking down safely without persistent microplastics.
The world is shifting from short-term convenience to long-term responsibility. Natural materials are central to that change. They come from renewable, bio-based sources, and when engineered correctly, they perform just as well as fossil-derived plastics, without the environmental debt. By using naturally occurring polymers like seaweed and plant-based compounds, we can design materials that fit within nature’s own systems rather than against them.
At Natural Edge, sustainability isn’t a label; it’s built into the chemistry. Our materials contain no PLA, PBAT, or PHA; synthetic “bio-plastics” that still rely on petrochemical inputs. Instead, we work with 100% nature-derived components that are compostable, transparent, and functional in real-world applications. Every claim is backed by testing and measurable performance, not marketing slogans.
Our goal isn’t to look green. It’s to make packaging that truly belongs in a circular, natural economy.
About Us
Natural Edge is a Malta based, award winning materials research company focused on developing bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics. We work at the intersection of polymer science, engineering, and sustainable manufacturing to create materials that perform without compromise.
Our current research centres on a seaweed-derived film designed for packaging applications. This transparent, compostable substrate offers a genuine alternative to petroleum-based films and avoids the limitations of crop-based bioplastics like PLA, PBAT, and PHA. We’re working with partners across the supply chain to validate performance and scale production.
Nicholas Zarb (left) is a mechanical engineer specialising in sustainable materials and innovation. He leads research and development at Natural Edge, focusing on bio-based packaging and material performance.
Noeleen Buttigieg (right), a chemist with expertise in bio-polymer formulation and analytical characterisation, drives the development of compostable films from natural polymers, ensuring each material delivers real performance and measurable environmental benefit.
What began as a small, university-born idea to tackle single-use plastic waste has evolved into a full-scale R&D company with its own materials lab. Natural Edge has grown from a simple green concept into a science-driven, award winning venture developing advanced, compostable films from natural polymers. Their shared vision is to prove that sustainability and performance can exist side by side without compromise or greenwashing.
Contact
Interested in learning more about our seaweed-derived film or discussing potential partnerships? We’d be pleased to hear from you.
Natural Edge Ltd.
Malta
Technical specifications and samples shared under NDA.