Pink paper ice cream pot containing ice cream with two spoons, displayed at an event.

Notpla Pairs Seaweed-Coated Ice Cream Pots with Plastic-Free Spoons

Notpla has developed an ice cream serving system combining seaweed-coated paperboard pots with seaweed-based spoons, targeting both the container and utensil within a single plastic-free format.

Featured in ThePackHub’s Innovation Zone, The Perfect Pair has been designed for ice cream operators, with the packaging intended to provide the grease and moisture resistance needed for frozen desserts while remaining compatible with existing paper recycling streams.

Seaweed coating replaces conventional plastic lining

The ice cream pots are manufactured from responsibly sourced paperboard and use Notpla’s seaweed-based barrier coating instead of the conventional plastic lining commonly used to protect paper food packaging from moisture and grease.

According to Notpla, the coating provides the grease resistance required for frozen desserts and has achieved a KIT 14/30 rating. The company also states that the coating is designed to enter existing paper recycling streams where suitable collection and processing infrastructure is available.

The pots are available in single- and double-scoop formats, providing operators with two serving sizes using the same material approach.

For paper-based foodservice packaging, barrier performance remains an important technical consideration. Cups, pots and other fibre-based formats often require an additional layer to protect the paperboard from moisture, oils or grease. Notpla’s approach is to provide that functionality using its seaweed-derived coating rather than a conventional polymer coating.

Plastic-free spoon designed for frozen products

The accompanying spoon is also made from natural materials incorporating seaweed and is designed and manufactured in the UK.

Notpla describes the utensil as plastic-free and PFAS-free, home compostable and suitable for use with frozen products. The company says the material is designed to retain sufficient strength and surface smoothness while being used with frozen desserts.

The spoon material has also been recognised as not being plastic within the scope of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Bringing the pot and spoon together is a notable part of the development. Rather than addressing only the primary container, The Perfect Pair applies a material substitution approach to both components of a typical takeaway ice cream serving.

Reducing reliance on conventional polymer coatings

ThePackHub’s view is that combining a recyclable paperboard format with a seaweed-derived grease and moisture barrier could reduce dependence on conventional polymer coatings while allowing the pot to remain compatible with established paper waste streams.

The development also highlights how material substitution in foodservice packaging can extend beyond the container itself. By considering both the pot and the spoon, Notpla is applying its seaweed-based materials to two different functions, each with its own performance requirements.

As with any packaging designed for recycling or composting, what happens after use will depend on the relevant collection, recycling and organic waste infrastructure available locally.