Founded in Vancouver in 2023 by designer Annie Dahan, Seacork Studio is building the future of acoustic panels. Using locally sourced seaweed, the company creates renewable materials that challenge the status quo in design and construction. With early recognition from CleanBC’s Plastics Action Fund and support from NorthX, Seacork is quickly emerging as a leader in the circular bioeconomy.
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 of greenhouse gas emissions per year, and the end–of–life waste volume is 3.5 million cubic metres per year. An alternative is needed that can mitigate this impact, at scale.
Turning seaweed into carbon-negative and biodegradable non-structural construction materials.
Seacork develops biodegradable acoustic panels from invasive and spent seaweed to phase out conventional high carbon panels. In addition, used panels and offcuts are reprocessed into brand-new products, eliminating process and end-of-life waste. And because they are made with a biogenic feedstock that is sourced and processed locally, Seacork Panels are carbon-negative, as verified by Carbon Wise’s independent life cycle analysis.
How NorthX is helping: 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.
