Piping Hot Partners With UTS Climate Scientists To Develop Seaweed Textile

Seaweed is magic when it’s not caught in your leash.

We’ve already seen how Sea Forest, an Australian surfer-owned startup is using Asparagopsis seaweed to accelerate growth of livestock, reduce resource wastage and methane emissions. There are several thousand species of seaweed, many can be processed for food, fertilizer, cosmetics, compost, industrial gums and chemicals. 

Now Piping Hot, a label which in its 47-year history once saw Simon Anderson, Nat Young, Larry Bertleman, Pam Burridge, Barton Lynch, Tracey Browne, Sally Fitzgibbons and Wade Carmichael on its roster, is collaborating with climate scientists at UTS to develop a sustainable fibre made from seaweed as part of its ‘mission for clean oceans’.

It should also be noted that the PH brand currently operates under a license model, and is predominantly sold through major discount department store, Target Australia. Target is not a corporation known for its green ideals. 

Commencing in February 2022, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) climate scientists will be building a prototype fibre developed in response to Piping Hot’s ambition to protect oceans for future generations. The biobased solution will sequester carbon from the ocean and reduce the environmental impact of synthetic fibres.

“It is an honour and privilege to partner with the distinguished Professor Peter Ralph and the UTS Climate Change Cluster. As part of Piping Hot’s mission to defend the oceans, our purpose-led investment into marine biotechnology and material science is of vital importance. Together we intend to impact change though marine science and transform the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels,” said Stan Wan, CEO and Managing Director of Piping Hot Australia.

“Developing new nature-derived alternatives for the fashion and textile industries has the potential to revolutionise products and their impact on the oceans,” said Distinguished Professor Peter Ralph, Director, UTS Climate Change Cluster.

UTS is located in the heart of Sydney. It is rated the No.1 ‘young’ university in Australia.