PHYCOMADE
Seaweed-Nanocellulose Materials for African Packaging Makers to replace Imported PE Plastics
PHYCOMADE
We are building seaweed-based industrial materials for African flexible PE and paper-based packaging manufacturers to save costs, ensure reliable supply and improve package performance.
Made from locally sourced seaweed material innovations
Market Opportunity
African polyethylene imports per year
Kenya $204M + Tanzania $165M
$1.5M of contracts by June 2030
Why Now?
Competition Landscape
| Imported PE | Recycled PE | Bio-based PE | Phycomade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Existing machines | ||||
| Stable local supply | ||||
| Consistent quality | ||||
| Regulation shifts |
YesPartlyNoPhycomade ratings are targets until lab validation
Business Model
Materials Development ContractsExplore +
Team
David Kazuguri
Team LeadBSc Microbiology; Ordinary Diploma in Laboratory Technology. Formerly at Coastal Biotech. Previously founded Yakwetu Biotech, a waste-to-compost company. Innovation Excellence Award winner from the DURP Project, Tanzania. YALI Alumni, Cohort 52.
Crispian Kimani
Materials EngineerBSc Chemistry (UDSM); MSc Sustainable Energy Science and Engineering (NM-AIST). His master’s thesis focuses on the application of nanocellulose materials on wood, bringing that expertise to the team.
Elian Kinsanga
Commercialization AdvisorTanzanian Business Development Professional and Innovation Ecosystem & Enterprise Development Specialist at Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi). He leads the incubation of Tanzania’s most reputable companies, such as Guavay Company Limited.
Technology: From Lab to Market
| Level | What it means | Timeline | Business implication | Partners | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | TRL 1 | Basic principles observed | ✓ Completed | Invention Disclosure Document (IDD) | CBIOUDSMIKL |
| TRL 2 | Technology concept formulated | ✓ Completed | Invention Disclosure Document (IDD) | ||
| TRL 3 | Experimental proof of concept | ✓ Completed | Visual POC | ||
| TRL 4 | Validated in the lab | June 2027 | Laboratory prototype; provisional patent filed | ||
| Pilot | TRL 5 | Validated in relevant environment | December 2027 | Customer sample trials | |
| TRL 6 | Demonstrated in relevant environment | June 2028 | Full patent application filed | ||
| TRL 7 | Prototype demonstrated in operational environment | December 2028 | Pilot plant running; paid customer pilots | ||
| Market | TRL 8 | System complete and qualified | December 2029 | Factory commissioned and certified | |
| TRL 9 | Proven in operational environment | June 2030 | Commercial product after 6+ months of operation |
Commercialization: From Lab to Market
Phase I
January 2026 to June 2027Validate Technology at Lab Scale and Validate Customer Demand
- TRL 4: Laboratory Prototype
- Data sets from 100 Lab batches
- 10 end product demos
- Unit economics validated
- Full Patent Application
- LOIs worth $500K
Phase II
July 2027 to December 2028Validate Technology at Early Industrial Scale and Prove Demand with Paying Customers
- Fundraising: $128K Grants and Equity
- TRL 7: Commercial Products
- Annual Contracts worth $250K
- 250 t per Year Production
- Patent Acquired
Phase III
January 2029 to January 2031Industrial Commercial Operations and Repeat B2B Customers
- Fundraising: $550K Debt and Equity
- TRL 9: Commercial Product
- 1,000 t per Year Production
- Factory established in Tanzania
- B2B contracts worth $1.5M
Thank you
Contact us
waflo.africa@gmail.com