Remoulding Plastics: Material Change at the Edge of Petrochemical Decline

For millennia, traditional materials have served human needs through sustainable, local systems, while modern petrochemical plastics have created unprecedented environmental damage despite their utility. As the world confronts this crisis, Jessie French's Fellowship report examines how a new generation of designers, scientists and manufacturers are developing algae-based biopolymers and sustainable materials to address these challenges. Through engagements across prestigious institutions in New York, Paris, Berlin, and London, French investigates how conservation science, regulatory frameworks, and industry adoption pathways can transform material systems. The report reveals how Australia might overcome geographic isolation, manufacturing limitations, and regulatory lag to rediscover sustainable material practices that serve contemporary needs while honoring environmental imperatives.