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Sparxell cellulose-based biodegradable pigments

Sparxell produce non-toxic and biodegradable pigments from cellulose. Their technology exploits the highly reflective nature of plant-based cellulose. The colour comes from reflected light, so called structural colour, does not fade and can be used in the same contexts as conventional pigments, glitters, and sequins. The company does not use mica, titania or dye, ensuring their pigments have the least impact possible on the environment. Image Sparxell.

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Recycled and bio-based Surlyn ionomer plastic for cosmetics packaging

Two new Surlyn ionomer resins developed by Dow offer carbon savings compared to virgin material. Surlyn REN ionomers are produced using bio-waste such as cooking oil. This process utilises waste residues or by-products from alternative product processes from other industries meaning the raw feedstock materials will not consume extra land resources or compete with the food chain. Surlyn CIR ionomers are created through chemical recycling technologies, breaking down mixed waste plastics into their basic chemical elements, giving plastic waste a second life. This produces a raw material that is equivalent to those made from virgin fossil feedstock. Image Dow.

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Kaneka biodegradable PHA polyester

Kaneka produce bio-based and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as Green Planet. It is suitable for a range of applications include foam packaging, disposable cutlery, single use packaging and reusable food packaging (such as these in-flight meal container served on JAL’s international flights). The colour of the container comes from natural minerals, which means that both materials and colour additive are fossil-free. Image Kaneka.

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Sun Circle home compostable packaging plastics

Sun Circle produce polybutylene succinate (PBS) for packaging, kitchen items and agricultural products. These are biodegradable co-polyesters with properties similar to polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Typically produced from fossil fuel, it is also possible to make these plastics from bio-based materials, such as through the bacterial fermentation of sugarcane, cassava, and corn. Grades exist that are derived from biomass and are suitable for home composting, without any specialised composting facilities. Image Sun Circle.

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Woodoo wood-based composite

Woodoo Augmented Wood uses a patented process to remove lignin from wood and replace it with a bio-based polymer (probably polyurethane). Their products include Slim, a see-through and touch sensitive veneer suitable for automotive and products; Flow which is designed as a flexible veneer-like substrate that the company suggests provides an alternative to leather; and Solid, an engineered wood composite for construction and furniture. Image Woodoo.

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AMSilk animal-free protein-based textile fibre

AMSilk started producing Biosteel Fiber in 2015: a pioneering protein based fibre development that combined high performance properties with sustainability. Today AMSilk produce a range of fibres, from Biosteel to Ultrafine. It is made with biotechnology and is petroleum free. It is completely biodegradable in marine and aerobic conditions, leaving no plastic residue. It is converted into fabric using standard textile manufacturing equipment, turning man-made proteins into fibres for commercial textiles – footwear and garments, bags and wristbands, home textiles and even composites in automobiles. Image AMSilk.

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Simplifyber cellulose-based moulded shoe uppers

Simplifyber produce moulded shoe uppers from a cellulose-based pulp. It is poured into a mould as a liquid and formed into the final shape with heat and pressure, reducing cutting and sewing. The material is made from a mix of wood pulp and other plants and biodegradable additives. It works somewhat similarly to making paper, but the resulting material is strong and durable. The strength comes from an additive derived from food waste, which creates cross-links in the bioplastic structure. It is recyclable with paper. Image Simplifyber.

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MarinaTex home compostable packaging film

MarinaTex is a versatile material that is being developed as an alternative to plastic for a variety of applications. It is not yet in commercial production. Made from a combination of agar from red algae and fish processing waste, among other ingredients, it does not contain any harmful chemistry that could damage the environment. From bags to single-use packaging, the transparent film is well suited for packaging and will biodegrade in soil. Image MarinaTex.

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Arda New Grain leather alternative from plant based ingredients

Arda Biomaterials created New Grain, a new type of leather alternative that is currently in development, made from brewers’ spent grain (BSG). According to Arda Biomaterials, for every 100 ltr of beer, there are 20 kg of spent grain. The protein and fibre in the waste grain is processed into materials suitable for textiles that can be processed using similar techniques to leather. Image Arda Biomaterials.

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Oceanium seaweed materials

Oceanium develops functional seaweed ingredients for applications in health and wellbeing, skincare, packaging materials, food and beverages. As an example, they developed Ocean Ink, which is a fully biodegradable water-based ink derived from sustainably sourced seaweed. It has a naturally golden colour, which lends itself to high end and luxury packaging, offering an alternative to foil embossing (hot foiling, foil blocking). Image Oceanium.

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VTT pilot plant to process captured CO2 into raw materials for plastics

VTT, LUT University, and companies (including Borealis) have opened a pilot plant in Finland to process captured CO2 into compounds that can replace fossil raw materials in the production of polypropylene (bio-PP) and polyethylene (bio-PE). At this stage, they are produced at VTT Bioruukki from flue gas carbon dioxide. In the future, the technology can be brought into production wherever bio-based carbon dioxide is produced, such as in forest industry or waste incineration plants.

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Made of Air carbon-negative additive for plastics

Made of Air convert biomass waste streams (such as forestry offcuts and secondary agricultural materials), which have photosynthesised CO2, into a form of biochar through controlled pyrolysis. Burning materials without oxygen means the carbon cannot form CO2 and instead forms biochar. Using their technology the biochar is converted into a functional carbon-rich filler for plastic biocomposites. Biochar has been produced for centuries and is increasingly being used as a fertiliser as well as a way of sequestering carbon in the soil, because the carbon is locked in and it remains stable for hundreds of years. Image Made of Air.

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UBQ thermoplastic additive made from household waste

The feedstock for UBQ is household waste, which is largely comprised of organic materials – everything from food residues and mixed plastics to cardboard, paper, and even dirty diapers, that would have otherwise been sent to landfill or incineration. Metals and minerals, which have high recyclability, are removed and sent over to traditional recycling streams. UBQ’s waste conversion technology breaks down the organic matter into its basic particulate constructs—lignin, cellulose, fibres, and sugars—and then reassembles them into a matrix. Residual plastics present in the waste stream melt and get mixed into the matrix to create a homogeneous and consistent composite thermoplastic material. Image UBQ.

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BrightPlus biodegradable polyester bioplastics

BrightPlus biodegradable polyester materials, such as polylactic acid (PLA), are suitable for injection moulding, 3D printing, extrusion and other plastic forming processes. As industrially compostable bioplastics they are suitable for packaging, consumer products, prototyping and a range of other applications. Bio-based content ranging from 25% (elastomeric grade) to almost 100%. Image BrightPlus.

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Bio-based and renewable plastic blends

Bio-Fed M•Vera bio-based plastics by Akro Plastics are suitable for injection moulding and are used for coffee capsules, cutlery, cosmetic packaging, toys, plant clips and so on. Renewable grades are based on starch, cellulose, polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Fossil-based types include polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polycaprolactone (PCL). The amount of renewable content is tailored to the application. Image Bio-Fed (a branch of Akro Plastics).

 

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Renol lignin additive for plastics

Renol from Lignin Industries is a bio-based additive for thermoplastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). The lignin used to make the additive is a by-product of the paper pulping industry and is typically burnt for energy generation. As an additive it can bring the carbon footprint down by replacing a proportion of the plastic in moulding and extrusion applications.

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I’m Green bioplastics

Braskem produce bio-based plastics from sugar cane residue. Their portfolio covers polyethylene (bio-PE) including HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE with a renewable content range of 80-100%, used in packaging, cleaning products and toys, for example. And ethylene vinyl acetate (bio-EVA), with a bio-based content of 45-80%, which can be used in products like sports products, shoe soles and toys. Image Welli Bins in I’m Green bio-based EVA.

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NaNea biodegradable polyester fibre

OceanSafe have developed a 25-30% bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, that is biodegradable in soil, marine and landfill. In marine water it biodegrades by >93% within 99 days, and is Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold. Alternatively, it can be recycled with regular polyester. It offers drop-in replacement for polyester as fill and fabric for fashion and interior applications. Image OceanSafe.

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Eastman Treva cellulose-based bioplastic

Eastman Treva is a partially cellulose-based engineering material made with 45% bio-based ingredients. It has excellent surface gloss, clarity and tactility and is suitable for many of the same applications as polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). It was created to meet the requirements of packaging, eyeglass frames, wearable electronics, headphones and other personal devices and electronics housings and automotive parts. Image Eastman.

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Virent bio-based hydrocarbons for bioplastics

The Virent Bioforming process converts carbohydrate rich feedstocks, such as sugar beet and sugar cane, into bio-based hydrocarbons that can be used as the building blocks for plastics. The bio-based chemistry uses catalytic conversation to provide a drop-in replacement for petroleum derived products in the production of plastic like polyester (PET), nylon (PA) and polyurethane (PUR). Applications range from packaging and moulded products to textiles and films. Image Virent.

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Mirel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), biodegradable polyester

Mirel is a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), bio-based and biodegradable polyester, produced by by Telles (dissolved 2012). A semi-crystalline PHA approved for food contact – from frozen foods to boiling water – it is suitable for injection moulding, film extrusion and thermoforming. In addition to packaging materials and food service items, it could be used to replace polystyrene (PS) in electronics packaging applications. Image Telles.

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UPM Formi EcoAce bio-based polypropylene (bio-PP)

UPM Formi EcoAce is a bio-based polypropylene (bio-PP) produced from bio-based naphtha, which is made from crude tall oil, a byproduct of the paper pulp process. The bio-composite version contains certified wood fibre (40-60%) or cellulose fibres (30-50%). Based almost entirely on renewable materials, it provides a drop-in replacement for fossil-based PP. It is recyclable and suitable for food contact applications.

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Technipol Bio by Sipol

Technipol Bio by Sipol is a range of biodegradable co-polyesters with up to 90% renewable ingredients, based on polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), for example. Properties range from low melt-temperature resins suitable as hot melt adhesive (shoe making) to relatively high hardness and high melting temperature bioplastic with performances close to polypropylene (PP). Image Sipol.

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Sulapac bioplastic packaging

Sulapac includes an innovative range of bio-based plastics and composites suitable for injection moulding, thermoforming and 3D printing. Various biodegradable polyesters are blended to ensure optimum properties depending on the requirements. Including wood or other water absorbing additives draws moisture into the plastic and so initiates biodegradation from within, accelerating the composting process. This opens up a wider range of applications, especially within packaging. Ranging from 70-100% renewable ingredients, the materials are industrially compostable and recyclable. Image Sulapac.

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Phact biodegradable polyester by CJ Biomaterials

Phact is an amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polyester produced by CJ Biomaterials, that is suitable for food contact applications including rigid and flexible packaging, food serviceware and other products. Amorphous PHA is relatively soft and rubbery, offering fundamentally different performance characteristics than crystalline or semi-crystalline forms of the biopolymer. It is a bio-based material that is certified for industrial and home compost, soil biodegradable and marine biodegradable. When combined with other bioplastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA), it enhances the biodegradability and compostability of products. Image CJ Biomaterials.

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Biopure bio-recycled polyester by Protein Evolution

Biopure bio-recycled polyester by Protein Evolution is made from rigid packaging waste and industrial textile strappings. Protein Evolution uses AI-designed enzymes to break down polyester (PET) waste into the raw materials of new polyester that are indistinguishable to the petroleum-derived raw materials used in polyester manufacturing. The process is capable of handling a variety of waste streams, from plastic bottles and clam-shells, to industrial textiles and garments. Image Stella McCartney.

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BioPBS biodegradable co-polyester by Mitsubishi

BioPBS polybutylene succinate (PBS) produced in a joint venture between Mitsubishi Chemical Company and PTT Global Chemical Public Company. This grade of biodegradable co-polyester is derived from biomass, such as sugarcane and cassava, and decomposes into water and CO2 with the microorganism under the soil in ambient conditions (30 degC) – it is suitable for home composting and doesn’t require any specialised facilities. PBS has relatively good heat resistance compared to other biodegradable plastics and can be converted into a fibre. It is applied as a coating to paper, such as for disposable coffee cups, as an injection moulding resin and flexible packaging. Image Mitsubishi.