WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has named Zealafoam Holdings Ltd. as the winner of the 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award. Presented by the PLASTICS Bioplastics Division, the annual award recognizes innovative, unique and creative applications of bioplastics materials, products and manufacturing processes.
Zealafoam Holdings received the recognition for its ZealaFoam material, a 100% plant-based foam designed to closely match the insulation, cushioning and mechanical performance of traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS). The culmination of more than a decade of research, ZealaFoam is manufactured using the company’s proprietary process, offering manufacturers a practical and scalable pathway to incorporate plant-based materials into a range of applications.
ZealaFoam demonstrates how sustainable materials can go hand-in-hand with commercial practicality. According to the company, the material is engineered for applications requiring lightweight, insulated and impact-resistant foam, including protective packaging, cold chain logistics, construction products and other molded applications that traditionally utilize EPS.
“We’re excited to recognize Zealafoam as the 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award winner,” said Patrick Krieger, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Policy at PLASTICS. “They’ve spent more than a decade developing a new plant-based material that combines strong performance with practical, real-world applications and will serve as a valuable option for manufacturers. We congratulate the entire Zealafoam team on this well-earned recognition and thank all of this year’s applicants. Every year, we’re impressed by the new ideas, technologies and applications coming out of our industry, and we’re excited by the possibilities as materials science continues to advance.”
“This recognition means a lot to our team,” said Sarah Heine, CEO of ZealaFoam Holdings Ltd. “Our proprietary technology transforms plant-based PLA into high-performance expanded particle foam that can be supplied at different stages of the manufacturing process and processed using existing EPS manufacturing infrastructure, helping reduce one of the major barriers to adopting more sustainable materials. Behind ZealaFoam is more than a decade of research and development, a strong portfolio of intellectual property, and a team focused on taking the technology from New Zealand to international markets. We’re excited about what comes next.”
The Innovation in Bioplastics Award is presented annually by the PLASTICS Bioplastics Division and recognizes an outstanding innovation in the application of bioplastics materials, products or processes. Submissions are evaluated based on innovation, environmental impact and potential market impact.
The award is announced in conjunction with PLASTICS’ annual Bioplastics Week, which highlights developments while providing educationalresources about the growing sector. The PLASTICS Bioplastics Division works throughout the year to educate, advocate and collaborate on behalf of the bioplastics industry.
To learn more about the 2026 Innovation in Bioplastics Award or follow along with 2026 Bioplastics Week, visit PLASTICS’ Innovation in Bioplastics Award page.
About Plastics Industry Association
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.
