Pierre Paslier

Co-founder & CEO of Notpla, Earthshot Prize Winner, Former Packaging Engineer for L’Oreal & TEDx Speaker

Pierre Paslier’s Biography:

Pierre Paslier is the co-founder and CEO of Notpla, the pioneering sustainable packaging company transforming the future of single-use materials. Best known for developing seaweed-based alternatives to plastic, Pierre has become one of the leading voices in sustainable innovation and circular design. Under his leadership, Notpla gained global recognition after winning the 2022 Earthshot Prize in the “Build A Waste-Free World” category, presented by Prince William. Pierre is regularly invited to speak at international conferences and TEDx events, where he shares invaluable insights into design-led sustainability, material innovation and the urgent need for scalable environmental solutions.

Pierre began his career as a Packaging Engineer for L’Oréal in 2011, where he developed an understanding of industrial packaging systems and consumer product design. He later studied at the Royal College of Art and INSA de Lyon, completing a Master’s degree through the RCA’s Innovation Design Engineering programme. During this time, he co-designed one of the first consumer delta 3D printers before co-founding Gravity Sketch, a VR 3D design platform. In 2014, Pierre also worked as a Designer at Alt Design and co-founded Skipping Rocks Lab, the innovation studio that would later evolve into Notpla.

Throughout his career, Pierre has earned widespread recognition for his contributions to sustainable technology and product innovation. In 2020, he was named a UBS Global Visionary, while Notpla’s achievements have also been recognised with the World Technology Award for Environment, the Lexus Design Award and the SustainAward for Inspired Product and Solutions for Society. Pierre has additionally written articles for Wired Magazine and remains an influential contributor to discussions surrounding sustainable design and future materials.

Alongside his work at Notpla, Pierre is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub and a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of Imperial College London Dyson School of Design Engineering. Known for his engaging speaking style, he has delivered talks at TEDx Groningen, TEDx Athens and TEDx Warwick. Pierre’s ability to combine creativity, engineering and environmental responsibility has made him one of the most respected innovators in the sustainability sector.

Why Hire Pierre Paslier?

Pierre Paslier is hired as a speaker for his inspiring insights into sustainable innovation, circular economy solutions and the future of environmentally conscious design. As the co-founder of Earthshot Prize-winning company Notpla, Pierre offers audiences practical examples of how creativity and technology can solve global environmental challenges. His TEDx talk, ‘How Everyone Can Become a Designer’, highlights his engaging and accessible communication style, while his experience building internationally recognised businesses makes him highly valuable for corporate, educational and sustainability-focused events seeking forward-thinking perspectives.

Pierre Paslier’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Pierre Paslier’s remarkable career:

  • 2022 – Notpla won Prince William’s £1,000,000 Earthshot Prize in the “Build A Waste-Free World” category for its innovative seaweed-based packaging solutions.
  • 2020 – Named a UBS Global Visionary in recognition of his work advancing sustainable innovation and environmental technology.
  • 2020 – Oversaw the widespread adoption of Notpla packaging, including over one million takeaway food boxes used by Just Eat.
  • 2014 – Co-founded Notpla’s predecessor, Skipping Rocks Lab, focused on eliminating single-use plastic through seaweed-based materials.
  • 2014 – Worked as a Designer at Alt Design, contributing to innovative product and design projects.
  • 2014 – Received the World Technology Award for Environment from the World Technology Network.
  • 2014 – Awarded the James Dyson Fellowship for his contributions to innovative engineering and sustainable design.
  • 2014 – Won the SustainAward for Inspired Product and Solutions for Society for environmentally focused product innovation.
  • 2014 – Earned the Lexus Design Award for pioneering work in sustainable and future-focused design concepts.
  • 2011 – Began his professional career as a Packaging Engineer for L’Oréal, developing expertise in industrial packaging and product systems.

“Pierre Paslier delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote that completely changed the way our audience viewed sustainability and innovation. His ability to explain complex environmental challenges through practical, design-led solutions was both engaging and genuinely motivating. Pierre’s passion for creating a waste-free future, combined with his entrepreneurial experience building Notpla into an Earthshot Prize-winning company, made his presentation incredibly impactful. He connected brilliantly with the audience and left attendees with actionable ideas, optimism and a renewed sense of responsibility towards sustainable innovation.” – David Simms