Kelpi

About Kelpi

Kelpi is a materials innovation company founded in 2020 that develops sustainable packaging from seaweed. The company is based in Bath, United Kingdom. The founding team consists of serial entrepreneurs Neil Morris and Murray Kenneth, and Professor Chris Chuck from the University of Bath. Their shared concern about plastic pollution led to the creation of Kelpi. Neil Morris, a serial entrepreneur with experience in various sectors including software and marketing, initially served as CEO and has since moved to the role of non-Executive Chairman. Hugo Adams, who has a background in senior roles at companies like The Body Shop, Dyson, and Marks and Spencer, took over as CEO in early 2025. Murray Kenneth, an entrepreneur and fund manager, was the co-founder and Finance Director before stepping back from the business.

Kelpi's core business is creating a proprietary bioplastic coating for paper, card, and other fiber-based materials to replace single-use fossil fuel plastics. This coating provides a strong barrier to water, oxygen, grease, and acidic contents, matching or in some cases exceeding the performance of traditional plastics. The company's business model is to sell this high-barrier coating to packaging manufacturers and work with global brands to develop sustainable packaging solutions. Kelpi serves clients in the food and drink, cosmetics, and personal care industries. It has secured research and development contracts with major companies such as L'Oréal, Diageo, and Waitrose through its supplier Blue Skies.

The company's primary product is a compostable and marine-safe coating made from sustainably farmed seaweed. As seaweed grows, it sequesters carbon dioxide, contributing to the de-acidification of the ocean. The final material is designed to biodegrade fully without leaving behind toxins or microplastics. Kelpi is in the process of scaling up its production from lab samples to industrial trials, with a commercial launch planned for mid-2025 after securing regulatory approvals for food contact materials. The company has successfully raised significant funding to support its growth, including a pre-seed round in 2021, a £3 million seed round in 2023, and a £4.35 million round in 2024 to scale up manufacturing pilots and expand its team.