The founder of Plastic@sea, Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim, aims to combat plastic pollution in the oceans. Her tests on biodegradability and toxicity help companies choose more environmentally friendly materials. The start-up targets a revenue of 1.6 million euros by 2024.
With oceans expected to contain more plastic than fish by 2050, according to the European Parliament, urgent action is needed. While efforts to reduce packaging waste and clean up drifting bottles are crucial, Plastic@sea offers another solution: testing the biodegradability and toxicity of plastics to make informed decisions when developing materials likely to end up in the waters.
Having spent ten years as a contract researcher at CNRS, Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim founded her own company within the Arago incubator at the Oceanological Laboratory of Banyuls (Pyrénées-Orientales) in 2019. « There is often a significant delay in the administration between posing a question and obtaining the necessary technical means. We created Plastic@sea to have the adaptability of a start-up, » she explains.
Recognized internationally for her expertise, the scientist, formerly an activist at the NGO Tara Océan, was approached by Bic in 2018. This was no surprise, as Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim was already well-known, and the company sought to minimize the impact of its lighters on the marine environment.
Plastic@sea embarked with a major client right away. « This initial project was my greatest strength. I was able to sign a five-year contract with staggered payments, » she says. This ensured sufficient cash flow, as the young company had minimal expenses. « The incubator provides us with a technical platform that we rent by the hour, saving us from investments and capital expenses, » Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim points out.
In the same year, L’Oréal approached Plastic@sea for a study on the impact of cosmetics and their packaging on the marine environment. This was followed by collaborations with the Water Agency, the National Company of the Rhône, and start-ups eager to test materials before launching their products.
Outgrowing the Arago incubator quickly, Plastic@sea had to share space with other companies. In early 2022, the company raised 350,000 euros in equity. BPIfrance and BNP Paribas followed suit, bringing the total to 900,000 euros. This sum was sufficient to set up its own offices and laboratory. « We have multiplied our production area by seven, » says Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim.
These expanded premises also allowed for strengthening the sales team to attract new clients. The company’s growth strategy includes franchising its standardized methodology to laboratories located along the Atlantic Ocean and in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, the start-up is expanding its expertise to terrestrial aquatic environments. « We are considering establishing a subsidiary dedicated to this activity, » adds the 43-year-old entrepreneur.
With a steadily increasing revenue, from 159,000 euros in 2019 to 800,000 euros this year, Plastic@sea is poised for even greater success in 2024. Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim aims for 1.6 million euros. And perhaps more. « I’m one of those people categorized as ‘too cautious’! » she says.
Source: entrepreneurs . lesechos
