10075516Mainstreaming Biopolymers on TeessideClosedLaunchpadInnovate UKClimate change, net zero and the biodiversity crisis.....Chestnut Bio - the trading name of Chestnut Natural Capital Limited is creating materials and processing technology as well as being very self aware to the circular economy. Legislation and public opinion is driving change in the world of plastic. Nature based solutions require nature based materials. Take tree planting as an example; most tree planting in the UK is being increasingly impacted from high levels of plant failure due to drought, unseasonable weather and or a shortage of microbes and fertility to get the best level of plant productivity and survival. Chemical fertilisers are demonstrated to have a negative impact on natural microbial activity in the soil, slowly degrading the soil over time, requiring more and more chemical additives to support crop yields. The innovation is a significant upgrade in how seedlings are treated to get full productivity with multiple economic, environmental and societal outcomes. Replacing non-biodegradable fossil-based plastics is a key aim for CNC's (Chestnut Natural Capital Ltd.'s) work; the company has been working on their novel blends as direct drop-in replacements for existing oil-based plastics, using existing manufacturing technologies. The development of the novel encapsulation will enable wider plastic-replacement, while also contributing to soil and plant health through additional functionality. The mainstreaming of regenerative agriculture in the UK has created a commercial opportunity to raise productivity by looking after soils using nature-based solutions. CNC's brand Chestnut Bio will use the unique material developed and protected by patent to create a powder encapsulation system, from which several products for agriculture/forestry/horticulture/top fruit will be created. The initial product will be a solid capsule system impregnated with organic soil enhancers made from a natural blend of microbes and micronutrients and drought resistant powder - Aquagrain. After the decided upon time the capsules will degrade naturally to nothing more than CO2, water and inert minerals. Evidence gathered by Chestnut Natural Capital suggests that a move away from oil-based and chemical additions to soil, embracing nature-based solutions, will over a short period of time reduce input costs and increase outputs significantly increasing profit and productivity. It also contributes significantly to the journey to net zero and the reversal of the decline in biodiversity. Teesside is ideal for locating a bioeconomy based on natural sugars and microbes rather than oil, The freeport will allow Chestnut Bio to build capacity .