Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

Woolchemy wool-based fabrics for hygiene applications

Woolchemy produce technical wool-based fabrics that offer an alternative to synthetic textiles in hygiene and wellbeing applications. NeweFlex is a biodegradable acquisition distribution layer (ADL) for disposable hygiene solutions, including diapers (nappies), incontinence and feminine hygiene products. NeweZorb is an ultra-absorbent, breathable textile that can absorb over 10 times more moisture than its original weight while still feeling dry and comfortable. Image Woolchemy.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

Searo seaweed packaging materials

Searo Labs has developed a unique formulation of seaweed-based materials that are food contact safe, home compostable, moisture and texture controllable, optically clear, and heat sealable. Potential applications range from film packaging for fresh food to dissolvable shampoo and detergent pods, and feminine care products. Image Searo Labs.

Spotlight

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).

 

Spotlight

Treekind plant-based leather by Biophilica

Biophilica Treekind is a flexible, leather-like material, made from urban plant waste, agricultural waste and forestry waste. It is made up of lignocellulosic feedstock (leaves, agricultural waste and forestry waste) with a natural binder. It is coated with a bio-based material to make it waterproof. Available in a range of natural colours, it may also be modified with plant pigments as well as non-toxic natural pigments. It is home compostable, recyclable and estimated to have a very low resource footprint. Image Biophilica.

Spotlight

Xampla Morro plant based polymers

Xampla Morro plant based polymers are natural proteins converted into compostable packaging materials, such as coatings and films. The proteins are derived from agricultural waste, from what is leftover once starch has been extracted from peas. They have developed water-soluble films, which can be used for in edible packaging like stock cubes. They also offer dispersion coatings for paper, totally plastic free and home compostable, that can be tailored to offer grease resistance, water resistance, or both. Image Xampla.

Spotlight

Tencel Lyocell regenerated cellulose fibre

Tencel Lyocell by Lenzing is a type of regenerated cellulose fibre, derived from wood pulp. The conventional way of making this type of fibre consumes a lot of nasty chemicals. Lyocell takes a novel approach, using a different chemical system – N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (a form of amine oxide known as NMMO) and water – which allows a virtually closed-loop production system. Lyocell is soft, absorbent and comfortable. It is often combined with a wide other textile fibres such as cotton, polyester, acrylic, wool, and silk to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of fabrics. Lyocell is certified biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil and marine conditions. Image Tencel.

Spotlight

Sway seaweed packaging

Sway seaweed packaging. Cast as transparent films, they offer a renewable and compostable alternative to packaging plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester. Their products include TPSea melt-processable pellets for film extrusion, TPSea Flex which mixes seaweed with bioplastic for bags and wrappers, and prefabricated bags using TPSea Flex. Image Sway.

Spotlight

Reishi fine mycelium fabric

Reishi fine mycelium fabric by MycoWorks provides an alternative to animal leather and plastic-based textiles made using polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This luxury mycelium leather that looks and feels like fine animal leather but with much lower environmental impact. Image MycoWorks.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

Malai coconut leather

Malai coconut leather is produced through bacterial fermentation of waste coconut water, a byproduct of coconut production. The bacterial cellulose that develops is enriched with natural fibres (banana, sisal, hemp), gums and resins to create a durable and flexible material which is converted into flat sheet or 3D parts. It is coloured with plant-based mordant-free dyes. Plant extracts like indigo, madder, cutch or marigold petals are used in order to achieve the colour. It is plastic-free, vegan and home compostable. Image Malai.

Spotlight

Lactips milk protein film

Lactips is a promising technology development based on 100% bio-sourced casein-based plastic-like material that is biodegradable in water and home compostable. Derived from milk protein, it is not classed as a plastic, and is being developed as a plastic-free packaging film and coating solution for paper or cardboard packaging with a view to strengthening the protection and conservation of food products without impacting their recycling or compostability. Image BASF.

Spotlight

Compostella wax paper

Compostella wax paper is a greaseproof packaging paper produced with a thin coating of carnauba wax. It is suitable for use with moist foods such as smoked fish, cooked ham and goat’s cheese, as well as sausage, cheese and vegetables. It is unbleached, home compostable and provides a sustainable alternative to paraffin wax-coated or plastic-laminated paper. Image Compostella.

Spotlight

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.

Spotlight

Agoprene seaweed foam

Agoprene seaweed foam is primarily made up of ingredients derived from Norwegian kelp, but also some minerals from crab shells and waste from the Norwegian paper industry. Under development as an alternative to petrochemical foams, it is 100% biodegradable and contains no harmful or petroleum-based chemicals. Image Agoprene.