Loliware

Loliware produces edible kelp-based cups and cutlery using its proprietary patented “SEA technology”. SEA technology combines a proprietary blend of ocean-farmed seaweed, minerals, and natural colors to create bio-based pellets, which can be used to produce biodegradable products such as straws.  All of Loliware’s products are claimed to be hyper-compostable. As announced in January 2020, the company is expected to have launched small packs of straws for consumer purchase in early 2020 and had plans to launch more products such as cocktail straws, u-shaped straws and utensils in 2020. Loliware plans to add cups, lids, packaging, and kitchen utensils to its portfolio. 

In October 2020, the company launched the LOLIWARE Straw, as an alternative to the 500 million plastic straws used daily in the US. In April 2022, Loliware introduced a seaweed-based pellet made using its proprietary “SEA technology”. which can be used to produce the company’s Blue Carbon straws at scale. The company subsequently integrated AI and machine learning to develop a library of materials created using seaweed, and offers licensing for its Sea Tech resins.

As of December 2019, Loliware has a capacity of producing two million Blue Carbon straws per week at its pilot plant based in New York. While this was set to increase to an annual capacity of 30 billion straws in 2020, following the use of Loliware’s new production plant in Europe, the company indicated that it was producing 100 million straws annually, in February 2020.

Key customers and partnerships

In April 2018, French alcoholic beverage producer Pernod Ricard partnered with Loliware as part of its strategy to stop the use of single use plastic straws. Loliware has also partnered with Marriott to supply straws. To support further manufacturing, Loliware partnered with packaging manufacturer Sinclair and Rush to produce Blue Carbon straws at a large scale. In September 2023, the company partnered with Montachem International to expand its product portfolio and access a global customer base.

Funding and financials

Loliware raised USD 6 million in a seed funding round in January 2019, led by venture studio Hatzimemos/Libby. The company aimed to use these funds to scale up and for further research and development. In February 2023, the company secured USD 15.4 million via a pre-Series A round that had participation from  L Catterton, Alumni Ventures Group, Blue Bottle Coffee founder Bryan Meehan, and many others. The funds will be used to develop additional seaweed based single use items alongside other R&D efforts.