MarinaTex, a pioneer in developing marine-derived biomaterials as alternatives to problematic single-use plastics, is delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Sterling as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Craig, a highly experienced entrepreneur and business leader, will spearhead the multi award-winning company through its next phase of development, with a remit to raise investment, drive revenue, build a high-performing team and establish the company’s base and market presence in Scotland.  

Craig joins with over three decades experience of navigating companies through crucial stages of growth, from inception to series B funding or acquisition. A dedicated advocate for marine conservation, having been an activist with Save The Bollona Wetlands, Heal The Bay, and Save Mono Lake in California, he is driven by a long-standing passion for innovation that not only delivers commercial success but also contributes positively to our planet.

Prior to joining MarinaTex, Craig was CEO and Director at CuanTec, leading the company through a successful phase of growth and innovation, securing significant investments and grants, enabling CuanTec to acquire and build their first plant under his leadership. An expert in commercialising products on a global scale, he has also held leadership roles at Omscientia, Rigaku, deCODE genetics and Emerald Biostructures. Craig also sits on the Board of the Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC) and has separately held multiple Board positions with non-profit organisations.

MarinaTex, founded in 2020 by Lucy Hughes, and a winner of the James Dyson Award, is a pioneer in the development of cutting-edge, sustainable biotech materials to replace problematic single-use plastics. The company, which taps into natural waste streams such as seafood waste and algae to create novel materials and coatings across packaging and agricultural industries, is dedicated to unleashing the potential of the ocean to solve the global issue of problematic plastics.

Craig Sterling, CEO at MarinaTex said: “As a lifelong surfer and diver, I’ve seen first-hand the havoc that plastic pollution has wreaked on our oceans and I’ve always been driven by a deep-held belief in the power and potential of nature, combined with science and innovation, to create sustainable solutions to our global environmental problems. I’m excited to lead the team into this new phase of growth and development and to see our vision come to life. My focus will be on driving the company’s growth strategy, securing key investments, and building strategic partnerships that will establish MarinaTex as a global leader in sustainable packaging, leading the transition to a fully circular economy.”

Lucy Hughes, Founder & COO at MarinaTex said: “MarinaTex was born from a desire to protect the ocean and harness its strength. Craig shares this passion as a long-time advocate and activist for ocean conservation. This passion, combined with his wealth of experience in attracting investment, generating significant revenue growth and building high performance teams within the biotech and life sciences industries, makes him the perfect fit to lead the company into this exciting next phase of growth and development.”