Intro

Alga Carta, the paper made from algae, has been captivating audiences since its inception in the 1990s. Originally created to convert the problem of excessive algae growth in the delicate ecosystem of the Venice into an opportunity, this innovative paper continues to be manufactured using the same circular economy principle. Drawing on algae sourced from marine environments, Alga Carta showcases its 10% seaweed particles on its surface.

Today Alga Carta is part of a collection of ecological papers that responds to the multiple needs and desires of brand owners that wish to communicate on the most sustainable media possible: Paper from our Echosystem.

As part of Paper from our Echosystem collection, in regard to Alga Carta it is guaranteed that:

• Made from eco-innovative raw materials, in this case from upcycling 10% seaweed.
• The emissions are measured and have been totally offset.
• It is made with renewable energy sources; in the case of Alga Carta this is self-produced.
• Proudly holds FSC™ certification, highlighting its commitment to being both recyclable and biodegradable.
• It is produced in accordance with a production process which is monitored and constantly improved.

Intro

Alga Carta is created with algae harvested from marine areas in difficulty and its visual book could only be inspired by these settings. The Alga Carta visual book is an editorial project conceived and designed to convey the identity of the paper, its nature. Favini absolutely wanted this booklet to be capable of inspiring designers and recount the concept with which the Alga Carta paper is made.

Given the nature of the product, the printing techniques chosen for this visual book remain few and are not particularly extravagant. This is because we wanted to make paper the main character, to showcase its characteristics and story.

The concept phase: The theme and the connection with Alga Carta

With a paper that comes from the sea, our visual book could only be inspired by a marine setting. The visual book “Beachcomber” collates a series of images by Lisa Woollett, who by her own definition is a photographer, author and “beachcomber” living by the Cornish coast.

The images, printed on Alga Carta, document her wanderings along the shores of Great Britain and tell the stories of natural and man-made things found along the shore. Lisa witnesses the various finds, clothing and abandoned objects that can ruin the balance of the marine ecosystem.

Lisa’s story complements that of Alga Carta, born from a process of creative reuse of algae from marine areas in difficulty. Thanks to the visual book, it is possible to see the printing quality of this paper.

The production phase: even with print, the paper remains the main player

Alga Carta has a characteristic speckle on the surface: it is the algae that, after being micronized, gives its distinctive appearance.

To enhance the naturalness of this product and its ecological characteristics, the print technique that has been mainly used is CMYK. The colours are brilliant and the speckled surface of the paper is always visible between the images.

The pages display alternate shots of sand and sea with shots of objects found on the beach: slippers, shoes, boots, fishing gear, personal hygiene items.

Seed is a company that collaborates with leading scientists and research partners worldwide to develop scientifically validated probiotics, supporting gastrointestinal, dermatological, oral, paediatric, and nutritional health.

For Seed, sustainability goes beyond the environment; it’s an ethos that focuses on both product innovations as well as their packaging.

Every element of their packaging is designed to be environmentally friendly, protecting the products whilst being gentle on our planet.

Seed has created refillable glass jars, meaning that for repeat purchases only a small compostable bag is sent. Furthermore, their products are packaged using biodegradable paperfoam.

And the outer packaging? This is where we come in!

Together with Seed, we developed a personalised paper, coming from the Alga Carta recipe.

If you too are interested in creating your own unique paper (requiring a commercial minimum quantity), contact us.

The ingredients of this paper make it eco-friendly: it’s made from algae that would otherwise harm the delicate marine ecosystems from where they are sourced.

And the colour? The colour has been custom-made specifically for the Seed project.

This paper wraps the outer box that contains the products and is entirely recyclable and biodegradable.

What do you think of the result?

Our Sales Director, Andrea Favini, who collaborated on the project, says:

“The Seed project is a praiseworthy example of environmental sustainability applied to a product.

The entire packaging has been carefully designed by the brand owner to ensure that each component is environmentally friendly. For the packaging, Alga Carta, which contains 10% algae, was chosen in a customised version for Seed.

We developed a shade of green to match their brand identity, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve eco-friendly materials without compromising on aesthetics.”