Plastic At Sea was born out of a simple conviction: to protect the ocean, we must first understand the real impact of plastics on living organisms. This vision, championed by Dr. Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim, has its roots in a formative experience. At age 12, faced with Catalan beaches littered with plastic waste and oil, she realized that her life would be devoted to the sea. That childhood outrage evolved into a scientific commitment.

After earning her Ph.D. in marine biology with a specialization in ecotoxicology, Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim devoted more than ten years to public research, studying the impact of pollutants on marine organisms and microbial communities. Her work at the CNRS and the Banyuls-sur-Mer Oceanographic Observatory led her to explore the “plastisphere”—the microorganisms that colonize plastics—and to identify bacteria capable of degrading certain polymers. 

In 2018, one thing became clear: manufacturers lacked reliable scientific data to assess the biodegradability and toxicity of their materials. Anne-Leïla Meistertzheim therefore decided to found Plastic At Sea, a company at the intersection of science and industrial innovation. Based in Banyuls-sur-Mer, in the heart of an exceptional marine ecosystem, the company develops protocols for testing plastics under real-world conditions, thanks to direct access to the sea and specialized experimental facilities.

Since its founding, Plastic At Sea has been supporting businesses, local governments, and maritime stakeholders in their transition to more sustainable materials. The company assesses the biodegradability of plastics, measures their toxicity to living organisms, and provides rigorous data to guide responsible decision-making. In just a few years, the organization has grown from a few square meters to a fully equipped laboratory in the port of Banyuls-sur-Mer, bringing together a multidisciplinary team and collaborating with French and international partners.

Today, Plastic At Sea continues to grow. This new phase reinforces the company’s founding mission: to put science to work for the ocean, to create a future where materials truly respect ecosystems.

Plastic At Sea is the story of a commitment that has grown into expertise, and of expertise that has led to action. A company born of the sea, for the sea.