UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 24th FEBRUARY, 2023:
Polymateria and Toppan Specialty Films have
released packaging which fully biodegrades leaving no microplastic and toxins
behind.
Data released today shows that biotransformed
packaging can return to nature in record time – 176 days.
New Delhi, 24 February 2023:
A new
breakthrough by sustainable plastic innovator Polymateria in partnership with
Indian plastic manufacturer Toppan Specialty Films (TSP), has seen plastics
commonly used in the packaging industry biotransform in under 4 months and
return to nature in just 176 days, leaving no microplastics or toxins behind.
It’s the fastest-ever full biodegradation of biaxially oriented (flexible)
polypropylene which is used in food and cosmetic packaging. The result was
achieved using Polymateria’s innovative biotransformation technology, which is
set to play a significant part in reducing plastic pollution in India and
around the world.
Polymateria also
worked with one of the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers to create
rigid plastic packaging armed with biotransformation technology, which was
measured to fully biodegrade in 230 days, breaking a previous record of 310
days. These twin breakthroughs mean that common packaging from candy wrappers
to cigarette packaging could be made biodegradable - with important impacts on
the 11 million tons of plastic waste which reach the ocean every year[1].
The first
prototypes of biotransformed plastics developed through the partnership between
Polymateria and Toppan were verified by the fully accredited AIMPLAS
Technological Institute of Plastic laboratory in Spain, which tested the
plastics under the ISO 17556 standard for biodegradability.
Mr Niall Dunne, CEO of Polymateria said, “I’m delighted to be announcing our record-speed biodegradation here in India given the leadership role the country is playing on tackling plastic pollution. In a market the size of India, multiple solutions will be needed and our technology provides an additional route by making plastic fully biodegradable in the ambient environment. Working with sustainability champions like Toppan gives me great hope that by coming together the industry will rise to the challenge.”
Mr Manohar Kumar, CEO of Toppan Speciality Films said, “We are delighted to see
the record-speed biodegradation achieved by combining our plastic packaging
with Polymateria’s technology. We are already seeing huge interest in our
sustainable biodegradable packaging in India and look forward to working with
some of the country’s most well-known brands as it gets widely rolled out.”
Products using
Polymateria’s technology can be recycled, but if they escape into nature, they
will biotransform into a bioavailable wax. The wax then attracts microorganisms
like bacteria and fungi, which safely digest it and return it to nature without
harm.
Biotransformation technology will be part of the solution to the global problem of plastic pollution, and Toppan is leading the way in adopting innovative technologies which can be brought to scale rapidly. This technology has the potential to significantly boost the sustainability of the packaging industry, in conjunction with other measures including improved waste management systems, consumer education and further innovative ideas from both government and the private sector. Time is running out to tackle plastic pollution, with some projections suggesting there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050[2]. Governments and businesses across many sectors need to work together to create a cleaner future
About Polymateria’s Biotransformation Technology
Plastic with
Polymateria’s technology is made for recycling, however, if it escapes into the
natural environment and is exposed to natural elements such as sun, air,
moisture and heat, it will biotransform into a bioavailable wax. The wax
attracts microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which safely digest it and
return it to nature without harm.
Biotransformation
technology is integrated into plastics at the point of manufacture, meaning there
is no need for CAPEX investment and solution can be scaled immediately by
plastic producers around the world. Furthermore, plastics with
biotransformation technology look and feel exactly like conventional plastic
for their entire service life, offering manufacturers, both a convenient and
sustainable solution without compromising on quality.
About Polymateria
[1] Breaking The
Plastic Wave: https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2020/07/breakingtheplasticwave_report.pdf
[2] The New Plastics Economy https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf
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