Futuralga is a Spanish social cooperative committed to addressing marine pollution by creating eco-friendly packaging made from seaweed. Based in Andalusia, the cooperative uses arribazones—naturally accumulated seaweed removed during beach cleaning—as a renewable and abundant raw material. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and circular economy principles, Futuralga transforms this underused marine biomass into biodegradable and compostable trays and packaging materials.

Their process involves only natural ingredients and technologies, resulting in environmentally friendly packaging suitable for use in both primary and secondary applications. These products are not only disposable and multi-functional but also offer a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging, especially in the agricultural sector. Through collaboration with the Las Virtudes cooperative, Futuralga develops seaweed trays to package fruits and vegetables, directly replacing traditional plastic alternatives.

Futuralga’s mission is deeply rooted in ocean conservation. With over 12 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans annually, the cooperative aims to reduce this impact by offering a viable, compostable solution that consumers can recycle directly in their gardens. The philosophy is simple: "Use the packaging, plant it, and let nature do the rest."

The project has received multiple grants supporting innovation, green transition, and digitalisation, including funding from the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), ERDF funds, and regional employment initiatives. These grants have enabled Futuralga to scale production and participate in business acceleration programmes and international events, reflecting its high growth potential.

Futuralga also collaborates with a network of stakeholders, including the University of Cádiz, COAG Andalucía, and the Institute for Economic and Territorial Development (IEDT), combining scientific research with grassroots cooperation to push forward environmentally conscious entrepreneurship.

Through its work, Futuralga positions itself not only as a producer of sustainable goods but also as a key player in advocating for an algae-based green revolution. By offering an innovative, locally sourced alternative to plastic, the cooperative demonstrates that climate-friendly packaging is not only possible but also necessary.

To find out more about Digital Transformation for a Sustainable Blue Economy visit the Bluedots project site.