Energy drink with a seaweed wrap

The UK’s second biggest energy drink brand is on a mission to offer plastic-free hydration for sport enthusiasts – using seaweed.

Lucozade, a brand from major UK beverage manufacturer Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS), first joined forces with innovative packaging start-up Notpla in 2018. Notpla, founded at Imperial College London in 2013, claims to “make packaging disappear” and has two types of sustainable packaging products in its portfolio.

The companies have teamed up to create edible capsules of Lucozade’s sports drink, which is normally sold in 500ml PET bottles.

The capsules, called Oohos, are made from seaweed extract and contain 30ml of Lucozade Sport each. Oohos are edible but can also be thrown away once empty and will naturally biodegrade in four to six weeks – similar to a piece of fruit.

In 2018, the first edible capsules of Lucozade Sport were handed out during major events such as city marathons and Tough Mudder races. However, it took until 2020 to find a solution that allows the capsules to be stored in vending machines as opposed to being given out by hand, which until now has been the only option. This is a significant development for the project and the first-ever vending machine with Lucozade capsules was trialled in a number of London gyms earlier this month – before coronavirus sent the nation into lockdown.

The capsule format makes the product more convenient while being the perfect serving size for athletes on the go, who are generally advised to drink little and often – one 30ml capsule at a time, for example.

Notpla and LRS are now working to create a machine that can manufacture and dispense up to 3,000 Oohos a day, which would allow them to take the concept mainstream and offer Ooho capsules of Lucozade Sport in gyms across the country.

The partnership, the result of a government-backed innovation project, is mainly a sustainability initiative from Lucozade’s end. Jo Padwick, the company’s business transformation manager, says: “Our ambition is to develop the most sustainable packaging possible. Our collaboration with Notpla to develop more uses for Oohos is just one example of how we’re working to achieve our commitment to eliminate virgin, fossil fuel-based plastic in the next 10 years.” 

LRS wants to eliminate fossil-fuel based plastic from the business by 2030.

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