PacSea is a very early-stage venture founded by 18-year-old Olivia Cooper, driven by a genuine curiosity for science and a strong desire to work on real-world climate solutions. While studying biochemistry at the University of Canterbury, Olivia began PacSea through the UC Summer Startup Programme, using it as a chance to explore a simple question: could fast-growing local seaweed be turned into a plastic alternative?

At this stage, PacSea is about curiosity, problem-solving, and figuring things out. The focus is on continued R&D, early lab trials, and local partnerships, with any plans for scaling or international expansion firmly future-facing and dependent on early technical progress.

It’s still very early days. So far, the work has focused on hands-on experimentation and learning, resulting in a basic, flexible seaweed-based film prototype. The material has shown early potential to be adjusted in thickness and heat-sealed for simple packaging uses. Bread packaging was chosen as a practical first test case, suitable for small local pilots. Encouraging early signals include media interest and letters of intent from two Christchurch bakeries — more validation than commercial traction.