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Dear friends,

On behalf of our team at Lonely Whale, I am so honored to introduce you to the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize Finalists!

WATCH THE FINALIST REVEAL VIDEO [[link removed]] THE FINALISTS:

Genecis [[link removed]], a Canadian biotechnology company reprogramming bacteria to make premium materials from low-value organic waste

Kelpi [[link removed]], a sustainable biotech company from Bath, UK harnessing the properties of seaweed to create compostable, marine-safe, low-carbon bioplastic packaging

Lwanda Biotech [[link removed]], a Kenyan-based social enterprise addressing both community-level plastic pollution and agricultural waste through development of alternatives to thin-film plastic packaging

Marea [[link removed]], an Icelandic start-up leveraging sustainable local algae streams to create a replicable model for thin-film alternatives that fully biodegrade

Notpla [[link removed]], a London-based start-up on a mission to make plastic waste disappear by pioneering natural-membrane packaging that uses seaweed as an alternative to single-use plastic

Sway [[link removed]], an American company offering seaweed-based, home-compostable replacements for thin-film plastic packaging, aiming to offer a carbon-negative material at scale

Xampla [[link removed]], a University of Cambridge spinout inspired by the strength of spider silk, turning proteins from common plant sources like peas into high-performance plastic-alternative materials

Zerocircle [[link removed]], an India-based company making wildlife and ocean-safe packaging materials from locally cultivated seaweed that will dissolve harmlessly in the ocean after use

Every year, hundreds of billions of thin-film plastic polybags are used across industries – from fashion, to tech, to furniture and beyond. Thin-film plastic pollutes the ocean, making up an estimated 46% of the nearly 11 million metric tons of new plastic that enters the ocean annually.

The ambition of this Prize is unparalleled and is poised to claim the largest commercial shift away from non-recyclable thin-film plastic to date. We’ve long believed that the solutions to the plastic waste crisis exist, and only by working together can we ensure a future free from plastic in the ocean.

We will share more in the coming weeks about the Finalists and the next chapter in this journey: the Material Testing Phase (sponsored by Nike). Follow along on social and keep an eye on your inbox for more updates!

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This is only the beginning of our journey to #UnwrapTheFuture. Thank you for being with us!

Warmly,

Dr. Dune Ives [[link removed]]

CEO, Lonely Whale

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