New sustainable biopolymer and production process development for a novel period care product

Callaly is a UK based developer and manufacturer of a highly innovative menstrual period care product, invented by a gynaecologist, that is a "hybrid" tampon and pantyliner. The innovative product, called a Tampliner, combines the best features of both products and specifically relies on a patented innovative impermeable sheath that enables the tampon to be hygienically inserted without contact with menstrual blood.

Callaly established UK based Tampliner production in late-2019 and created a novel direct-to-consumer sales and postal distribution model. Women can manage and customise their personal requirements from a suite of Callaly products (comprising Tampliners and conventional period products). The product and business has proven to be popular and at present the team has a growing subscriber/consumer base of over 5,000 subscribers providing over 50,000 products a month.

Callaly has a commercial ethos that is strongly influenced by ecological principles, and the team aspires to develop the novel & innovative Tampliner to the highest sustainability standards. All of the Tampliner parts with the exception of one item are biodegradable. This item is the heart of the innovative Tampliner: a cylindrical sheath component membrane that secures the tampon to the pantyliner component of the Tampliner. This sheath is made from a non sustainable polymer. During the early stages of product development, Callaly was advised that a biopolymer alternative would have to be specially developed for the Tampliner. The disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased consumer sensitivity to sustainability has now emphasised the need for Callaly to address this development challenge to the business.

Callaly is seeking Innovate UK investment funding to investigate a number of possible biodegradable polymers and most importantly to test them to see if they can be used in place of the existing conventional plastic part. The enclosed project enables Callaly to collaborate with experts in sustainable plastics---Imperial College London and Aquapak (industrial producer of biodegradable plastic).