What is the difference between your technology and an oxodegradable plastic as defined in the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive?
The EU definition of oxodegradable plastics specifically defines the outcome of oxodegradable plastics as fragmentation to microplastics or chemical decomposition. Given that the outcome of using our technology in plastics has been proven to be biological decomposition to carbon dioxide, biomass and water (not chemical decomposition as in the EU definition) then it follows that Polymateria Masterbatches cannot be classed as oxodegradable. This process happens through a combination of (first) chemical and (subsequent) biological decomposition under ambient soil conditions. The differentiation is further evidenced by the granting to Polymateria of a worldwide patent on its formulations that demonstrate it being both novel and inventive to the trained eyes of the patent body experts.
Technology and innovation in our space has moved on quickly and will continue to do so given the impact of the plastic pollution problem. Policymakers will need to keep pace with these developments, which is why we’re collaborating with legislators around the world to update them on the latest rigorous biodegradation standards and definitions.
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FAQ 2
Demo Description
Aren’t you encouraging littering rather than recycling? How do you communicate that with consumers? Are you going to tell them that it’s a self-destructible plastic?
The act of littering itself is illegal and would never be sponsored by a brand, retailer or technology. The message to a consumer contained within the packaging narrative is one that must be carefully considered for each individual product and is guided by ISO14021 and the local packaging laws in a given country. In our mission to go further, we wish to help drive the action of all parts of the supply chain and the end consumer to do the right thing. To this end, we provide the performance data and evidence to back the responsible disposal of a product, whilst helping to deal with any fugitive plastic where the risk is heightened.
It’s a positive message that the solution to fugitive plastic is very much in their hands. They can mobilise and increase pressure on global brands to take action. Previous plastics that have claimed to be ‘biodegradable’ haven’t delivered on their promise, which has held back efforts to fight fugitive plastic. Companies have made unverified claims on their plastic-based products for far too long, which has caused consumer confusion, frustrated the industry, and led to more damage to the circular economy and our planet.
We’re being really selective about finding the right brand partners to communicate the technology in the right way to get the right response from consumers. It’s our ambition to work with the packaging industry, as well as recyclers, NGOs and policymakers to drive towards 100% of packaging being recyclable and also biodegradable.
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FAQ 3
Demo Description
How does your technology work?
Our proprietary Biotransformation technology is a bespoke approach to fundamentally redesigning plastic packaging at point of manufacture with some unique and fundamental differences to anything else that has been tried previously.
Packaging manufacturers can ‘drop-in’ Polymateria technology, which comes in pellet form, to their plastic resin during the manufacturing process. This solution is known in the industry as a masterbatch and it contains chemicals (we call them catalysts and cocatalysts). After a period specified by the manufacturer, the dormancy period ends and the catalysts in the masterbatch break down the hard crystalline and amorphous structure into a wax-like substance through multiple chemical reactions, achieving carbon-carbon bond scission and ensuring no microplastics are created. Our proprietary use of ‘synthetic’ prebiotics attract natural agents of decay like microbes, fungi and bacteria to fully consume the wax-like substance. The time-controlled feature allows for recycling and a ‘Recycle By’ date to empower consumers and encourage responsible disposal.
We have the only technology in the world that has proven full biodegradation (water, CO2 and biomass) of polyolefins on a range of commonly used packaging without any ecotoxicity issues. On a range of the most fugitive forms of forms of package – polyethylene and polypropylene – independent third-party laboratory testing showed 100% biodegradation on a rigid plastic container in 336 days and film material in 266 days. The process needed no industrial composting facilities and left zero microplastics behind, nor did it cause any environmental harm in the process.
Our product stewardship ensures we only work with pure materials capable of full and safe return to nature but also don’t damage the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle. The technology has been developed in close collaboration with some of the most respected institutions and stakeholders in this field. It has been proven at independent labs to be fully recyclable per openly accessible guidelines issued by leading bodies such as Plastic Recyclers Europe (PRE).
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FAQ 4
Demo Description
What are some of the applications of your technology?
Our technology works with a wide range of plastic types including:
Injection moulded or thermoformed PP: such as you might find in clear plastic containers from a supermarket delicatessen.
Injection moulded PP or LDPE: the lids of plastic bottles, for instance for soft drinks or cleaning products, are often made of this material.
Mono and multi-layer PP, LLDPE, LDPE: thin plastic bags, the nets in which fruit is packaged and ready-meal wrappings are often made of this.
Mono and multi-layer BOPP: candy wrappers, cigarette film, bakery products and flower sleeves.
Canada
USA
Japan
