Acoustic panels are ubiquitous in commercial and institutional buildings like offices, classrooms, event spaces, and restaurants. Their purpose is to absorb sound and reduce noise in interior spaces. Most acoustic panels are made from mineral fibre or plastics like polyester and polystyrene, which are carbon-intensive to manufacture and end up in landfills after 5-15 years of use.
It is estimated that the carbon footprint of the global acoustic panel industry is 1.5 million tonnes CO2e per year, and the end–of–life waste volume is 3.5 million m3 per year. An alternative is needed that can reduce this impact at scale.
Turning seaweed into carbon-negative and biodegradable non-structural construction materials.
Seacork develops proprietary carbon-negative and biodegradable acoustic panels from invasive and spent seaweed to phase out conventional high embodied carbon panels. In addition, used panels and offcuts are reprocessed into brand-new products, eliminating process and end-of-life waste. Because they are made with a biogenic feedstock that is sourced and processed locally, Seacork Panels are carbon-negative as confirmed by Carbon Wise’s independent life cycle analysis.
For example, installing Seacork panels in a 10-storey office building (200,000 ft²) sequesters 55 tn CO2e without producing any waste. In contrast, the same quantity of conventional panels emits 300 tn CO2e and generate 700m³ of construction waste.
NorthX’s investment will support the completion of Seacork’s first commercial product, scale production, and showcase their acoustic panels in large pilot projects in Vancouver and Victoria.
