Perth startup Uluu and Norrøna develop waterproof apparel from fermented seaweed
Perth startup Uluu and Norwegian brand Norrøna are developing waterproof apparel from fermented seaweed, launching in late 2027.
Uluu was founded in Perth in 2021. It turns seaweed into a biodegradable material.
The startup uses fermentation. It replaces petroleum-based synthetic fabrics.
Uluu will spend 2027 with Norrøna developing and testing textiles and garments. A small commercial range is planned for late 2027 or early 2028.
Uluu co-founder Julia Reisser said brands want natural materials with synthetic-like properties. The startup gets seaweed from Indonesia and ferments it in Western Australia.
This creates polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a plastic alternative. It can be made into pellets and spun into fibers.
These look like polyester and nylon. Uluu has already supplied buttons to Australian sleepwear brand Papinelle.
The company says its material doesn't shed microplastics and can be recycled or composted.
- Perth, 2021
- Founded
- Indonesia, fermented in Western Australia
- Seaweed source
- Late 2027 or early 2028
- First product launch
- 500,000 tonnes annually
- Ocean microplastic pollution from
Why it mattersSynthetic textiles shed up to 500,000 tonnes of microplastics into the ocean each year. A durable seaweed-based alternative could cut that pollution and offer major brands a proven plastic replacement.
AustraliaAn Australian startup is scaling a solution to ocean microplastic pollution, with manufacturing plants planned in Australia and Indonesia, creating jobs and reducing reliance on fossil fuel textiles.
