Plant-based packaging alternative recognised at KiwiNet Awards

The PwC Breakthrough Project Award celebrates excellence in core research commercialisation practices and processes that are accelerating research to market and ensuring it is well positioned to deliver great impact for New Zealand. ZealaFoam, a sustainable plant-based polystyrene alternative, was developed using scientific expertise and capability from three CRI partners – Plant & Food Research, AgResearch and Scion – and the company, ZealaFoam Holdings Limited, was established in early 2024 to commercialise the ZealaFoam product globally.

KiwiNet CEO Dr James Hutchinson says, “Our 2024 winners are shining examples of how New Zealand’s public research, combined with exceptional commercialisation leadership, can drive both economic growth and meaningful solutions to global challenges. The KiwiNet Awards do more than recognise outstanding projects—they celebrate the collective strength of our innovation community. As our sector matures and momentum builds, we must keep pushing forward to amplify the impact of New Zealand’s science on the world stage.” KiwiNet Awards judge Cather Simpson says, “The 2024 KiwiNet Awards finalists are a testament to the depth and diversity of innovation in Aotearoa. These exceptional projects highlight how long-term investment and collaboration across our ecosystem are now delivering real returns for New Zealand. These innovations have the potential to drive significant economic, environmental and societal change. Choosing winners wasn’t easy—every finalist impressed us with their impact and ingenuity. We’re excited to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their future successes.”

ZealaFoam is made from Polylactic Acid (PLA) sourced from starch derived from a variety of plants such as maize, cassava and sugar cane. ZealaFoam EcoBeans, launched in 2022, can be used for bean bag fill or loose fill packaging, with the same performance as polystyrene beads. As they are made from plants, EcoBeans are industrially compostable. ZealaFoam is also close to commercialisation as an alternative for moulded polystyrene products, such as chilled produce and fish boxes, helmets, bee boxes and printable film.

The Kiwi Innovation Network (KiwiNet) is a consortium of 19 universities, Crown Research Institutes, an Independent Research Organisation and a Crown Entity established to boost commercial outcomes from publicly funded research by helping to transform scientific discoveries into new products and services.

Photo caption: ZealaFoam CEO Sarah Heine with ZealaFoam products