GreenFoilNature: “Sustainability needs technical solutions, not compromises”

With algae-based technology, the start-up GreenFoilNature makes packaging and more sustainable. In this conversation, founders Philipp Wisse and Tobias Irkens explain how their idea supports recyclability and the circular economy. 

Philipp Wisse: I am a biomedical engineering specialist and worked for many years in the development and production of medical devices – from pacemakers to wound dressings to pharmaceutical technologies. That was when I first came across algae: they are used in wound care to absorb exudate and support haemostasis. This experience later gave us the idea to use algae as a functional component in bio-based films as well. 

Tobias Irkens: I come from the pharmaceutical field. Philipp and I met in 2018 in medical technology when we were developing a patch for the treatment of aphthae – small, painful inflammations in the oral cavity. This resulted in an algae-based film that behaves like plastic: transparent, flexible, stable, yet biodegradable. That’s how the idea emerged to use these properties for other areas as well. 

Irkens: We work exclusively with non-modified natural materials. Many materials are chemically altered to achieve certain properties – often at the expense of their environmental footprint. Our biomaterials remain untreated and are fully biodegradable. 

Wisse: We use principles from pharmacy. In tablets, certain additives control when they dissolve. We apply this principle to our bioplastics: we build a matrix around the algae and can thus precisely control the degradation – without chemical additives. 

Wisse: It depends heavily on the composition of the algae-based blends. Some, for example, absorb more water, others less. When you combine them, a more stable network is created – and depending on the mixture, the degradation can be accelerated or slowed down. 

Irkens: Even under realistic conditions, our material shows that it remains stable but breaks down over time in the intended medium, for example compost. This makes it high-performing and at the same time biodegradable. 

Wisse: Particularly exciting is the area of coatings. Our water-based formulations can be applied to paper and cardboard – for example for trays or containers in the food sector. This makes the surface water- and grease-repellent. In this way, packaging can be produced that works without a plastic laminate and is still functional. We are already working with partners in the printing and paper industry – and there is strong interest from other sectors as well. 

Wisse: Absolutely. Think of classic soft drink cups: they usually have a PE coating and therefore can hardly be recycled. Our coating, on the other hand, is water-based and remains recyclable within the paper cycle. That is a decisive step towards a true circular economy. 

Irkens: Very easily. Our partners report that the coating can be integrated into existing production systems without any issues. It is water-based and has the right solids content – which is important for industrial use. 

Irkens: The core team consists of the two of us, the main carriers of the know-how. 

Wisse: In addition, we have strong partners, such as the Kunststoffinstitut Lüdenscheid, which carries out our biodegradation tests, and a contract manufacturer for producing our large coating batches. We are currently in the investor process to apply our technologies in additional industries: from coatings and bioplastics to applications in medical technology. 

Irkens: The award has expanded our network enormously. It increases visibility and brings us into contact with companies and institutes we didn’t know before. That provides valuable momentum. 

Wisse: And we received concrete business inquiries. For a young company, that is strong validation – and motivation to keep going. 

Wisse: We want GreenFoilNature to make a real contribution to the circular economy – with sustainable materials that deliver technically. At the same time, we want to create good jobs in our region and provide space for innovation. Sustainability doesn’t need compromises, but solutions that work.