Sway scores $5M seed round for biopolymer resient from seaweed

In California, Sway, for the first time, will enable seaweed to replace flexible plastics at scale. Representing an entirely new category of biopolymer resin, Sway’s patent-pending Thermoplastic Seaweed resin (TPSea) is a 100% biobased, home-compostable, microplastic-free ingredient made from a regenerative ocean crop that can replenish ecosystems and support coastal communities.

Sway’s new technology is designed to mesh seamlessly with the most scaled plastic manufacturing systems available, enabling growth and massive impact. The packaging sector is the largest generator of single-use plastic waste ­in the world. Sway’s evolving product portfolio made with TPSea includes flexible packaging applications such as polybags, retail bags, and food wrappers for consumer brands, representing approximately 30% of all single-use plastic packaging.

This launch accompanies Sway’s successful $5 million seed round led by Third Nature Investments and includes investment from The Helm, Alante Capital, BAM Ventures, Superorganism, and other industry-aligned investors. The funds will directly support the scaling of Sway’s product portfolio, and catalyze adoption by fashion, food, and home goods brands such as J.Crew, Burton, and others associated with the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize.