A novel additive-based technology to biotransform polypropylene packaging to be compostable

"A throwaway society has spread plastic packaging waste worldwide, polluting every corner of our planet. Each year \>200M tonnes of plastic is produced for 'single-use' with 35% of that sent to recycling rejected due to 'contamination' by remnants of unconsumed food or liquid. Astonishingly, less than 10% of plastic ends up being recycled.

Public awareness of on-the-go food packaging waste has increased significantly following the recent ""Latte Levy"" promoting scientific research/interest into compostable plastic. A key focus of this research has been on additive-based compostable plastic which seeks to retain physical characteristics of conventional plastic throughout its useful life whilst offering accelerated composting under industrial composting conditions, transforming entirely to CO2, water and biomass. This provides alternative capture carbon, as food contamination is inevitable, protecting the environment from accumulating plastic waste.

However, current compostable plastic solutions are predominantly biobased/hydro-biodegradable plastics which increase land competition(limited feedstock), are \>6x more expensive and require different manufacturing infrastructure compared to petroleum-based plastics. Current best-in-class additives for polyolefins (polyethylene(PE), polypropylene(PP)) which offer accelerated biodegradation in the open environment require a minimum of 2-years with no solution available to achieve the same within 6-months under industrial composting conditions -- and therefore marketed as compostable.

Addressing this gap, Polymateria aim to develop a portfolio of advanced drop-in additive formulations for the manufacture of compostable, biodegradable, cost-effective plastics. In collaboration with ecotoxicology testing experts at Chemex, this project aims to develop the first additive-based biotransforming technology for compostable PP packaging, which will be tested and certified at Chemex's facilities, as the first UK SME with capabilities to meet EN13432 Standard. This will offer a breakthrough technology for the plastic packaging sector, simultaneously providing unique expertise to the UK in compostability testing.

Both partners are well placed to exploit this opportunity: Polymateria has already commercialised bespoke biotransforming formulations for PP&PE in the open environment, and Chemex have state-of-the-art testing equipment and experts in terrestrial & aquatic ecotoxicology testing.

With InnovateUK support, a 2-year programme of industrial research is required to design and test formulations for physiochemical polymer properties and compostability. Project success will support a co-development deal with PP Converters with commercialisation by 2022, to establish:

- Polymateria at the forefront of compostable additives for a plastics market, poised for significant growth and

- Chemex as the only UK testing laboratory capable of specific accredited composting testing, alongside their entire ecotoxology testing suite, plus terrestrial and aquatic biodegradation testing."