Can Algae-Based Bioplastics actually replace plastic? (ft. Eylül Er, Palgae)

What if the solution to plastic pollution was growing in the ocean all along? Eylül Er, founder of Palgae, is engineering algae-based bioplastics that can slot directly into existing manufacturing lines. No factory overhaul required.

Eylül is a Turkish bioengineer who started Palgae after her thesis in bioengineering, and has since navigated the startup ecosystems of both Istanbul and London while building in one of deeptech's most challenging spaces. In this episode, we go beyond the buzzwords — what does "biodegradable" actually mean, which algae species produce useful polymers, and what does it really take to build a biotech company from scratch?

In this episode, we cover:

• What bioplastics and biodegradable materials actually mean (and how companies misuse these terms)
• How different algae species are used to produce plastic alternatives
• How Palgae's materials integrate into existing factory infrastructure
• The startup ecosystem in Istanbul vs London — what's different, what's harder
• What it's like to be a woman founder in biotech and bioengineering
• The personality traits that determine whether you should start a business

Check here the interview with Luenne Coelho on plastic waste.

Topics: bioplastics | algae-based materials | biodegradable plastics | sustainable materials | biotech startup | women in engineering | circular economy | polymer alternatives

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