10182533IX Biocomposite Binders - BiophilicaClosedBusiness ConnectInnovate UKIdea summary Biophilica has developed a portfolio of plant-derived sustainable materials that are biodegradable and fully recyclable at end-of-life, including adhesives, foams, and our award-winning leather-alternative. Our family of biopolymer-based binders and adhesives are engineered to be tunable to application requirements, offering versatile, scalable alternatives to synthetic binders. Key existing products in our platform-based portfolio: Treekind(r): multi-award winning, certified 100% biobased, compostable, vegan, plastic-free leather-alternative incorporates agricultural leaf waste (lignocellulose) as a key ingredient. 2--5 kg CO2e/kg (vs 30--110 for leather). Featured globally in projects with major brands. Brightbond(r): 100% biobased adhesive, water-resistant performance, currently in collaboration with Italian surface design studio. We propose adapting this platform to develop a plant-based binder specifically tailored for _Pit-Board_ for use in interior applications. Key advantages of our plant-based binder for Pit-Board: * Sustainable & Renewable---Derived from abundant, non-food biomass, fully biodegradable, eliminating the need for petrochemicals. * Recyclability & Biodegradability---At end-of-life, the binder itself is fully biodegradable, supporting true circularity. Alternatively, the composites could be disassembled and processed through aqueous routes to recover and re-use both binder and olive-stone filler. * Interfacial Bonding---Our biopolymer system includes functional groups that form strong interfacial adhesion with olive stone particles, improving mechanical integrity and durability, without synthetic coupling agents. * Tunable Formulation---Viscosity, cross-linking density, and adhesive strength can be adjusted to meet Pit-Board's performance requirements (e.g. strength, stiffness, surface finish). * Low-Impact, Low VOC Processing---Water-based formulations avoid harmful solvents, reduce emissions, and support easier handling in manufacturing. By integrating our plant-based binder with the olive-stone filler used in Pit-Board, we can create a composite panel that maintains the premium finish, durability, and visual appeal of the current product, while enabling end-of-life recyclability and biodegradability. This approach offers a step-change for Pit-Board: combining performance with circularity, reducing carbon and waste, while aligning with the increasing market demand for sustainable interior materials.