Rotorua’s ZealaFoam wins Breakthrough Project at KiwiNet Awards 2024

Scion scientist and project leader Kate Parker, ZealaFoam chief executive Sarah Heine and Scion materials scientist Stephanie Weal present some of their eco products.

A small eco-packaging company from Rotorua has developed a plant-based polystyrene alternative it says will be ready for the world market next month.

ZealaFoam chief executive Sarah Heine and a team of three have been working out production kinks for more than 10 years.

They were honoured as winners at Wednesday night’s KiwiNet awards held in Auckland, winning the PwC breakthrough project category.

Heine said it had been a long but meaningful journey.

“Polystyrene is a really good insulator. That’s why it’s used in a lot of fish packaging and fresh food packaging, things that need to be insulated.