Engineers from Queen’s University Belfast develop a more sustainable approach to seaweed farming by replacing components that typically involve plastic. According to reporting from Belfast Telegraph and the London Evening Standard, the team proposes using sheep wool as part of the material system used in seaweed cultivation. The aim is to reduce or eliminate plastic use in the farming process, improving the environmental profile of the industry while maintaining functionality for seaweed production. The articles describe the work as a solution designed to make seaweed farming “plastic free,” with sheep wool serving as a biodegradable alternative. Both outlets frame the development as an engineering effort to address sustainability concerns in marine aquaculture, where plastic materials can be used for equipment or supporting structures. The reports focus on the university-led research and its potential to make the sector cleaner, while not detailing broader adoption timelines, regulatory approvals, or commercial scale-up. Overall, the sources agree the project is an innovation from Queen’s University Belfast that uses sheep wool to help reduce plastic in seaweed farming.