Teysha Technologies’ sugar-based biopolymer proves durability on Mission: Everest, paving the way for scalable, sustainable plastic alternatives.
Teysha Technologies has demonstrated the exceptional resilience of its patented sugar-derived biopolymer, KarmaCane, which withstood sub-zero temperatures, high altitudes, and intense UV exposure during the Mission: Everest expedition—proving its viability across multiple industrial applications.
Teysha Technologies has achieved a major milestone in bioplastic innovation by successfully validating its sugar-based polymer, KarmaCane, under extreme environmental conditions. Products made from KarmaCane survived sub-zero temperatures and severe UV radiation during the record-setting Mission: Everest expedition.
This real-world validation marks a breakthrough for biopolymers, showing that sustainable materials can perform reliably in the harshest climates while maintaining full biodegradability. The material has been certified under OECD 310, confirming that it naturally decomposes into harmless sugars instead of microplastics or acids.
A Versatile Materials Platform
The Everest expedition highlights the broad adaptability of KarmaCane beyond eyewear and into diverse sectors. The material platform can be customised into multiple forms, including:
Hard solids for durable items such as eyewear frames, tools, and structural components.
Sticky liquids for natural cosmetic formulations as a substitute for synthetic polymers.
Water-based dispersions for hydrophobic coatings on paper and cardboard packaging.
Filaments for 3D printing, enabling sustainable additive manufacturing.
This versatility positions KarmaCane as a multi-industry solution, spanning packaging, consumer goods, medical devices, and marine applications.
Manufacturing and Scale
KarmaCane has already proven its adaptability across multiple production processes, such as:
Extrusion into pellets and filaments.
Injection moulding at laboratory scale.
Hydrophobic coating applications for fibre- and paper-based packaging.
Teysha Technologies is now preparing to scale monomer production to tonne-level capacity, leveraging third-party industrial infrastructure to accelerate growth without heavy capital investment. Early projections indicate that KarmaCane can be cost-competitive with conventional plastics like PET and ABS once scaled.
Expanding Commercial Applications
KarmaCane’s sustainable design aligns with both regulatory trends and market demands across industries:
Cosmetics: Offers an eco-friendly substitute for microplastic-based thickeners and stabilisers—potentially removing up to 8,700 tonnes of harmful polymers annually.
Packaging: Provides water-resistant coatings for paper and cardboard, eliminating the need for plastic laminates.
Marine Environments: Demonstrates rapid biodegradation in aquatic conditions without leaving microplastic residues.
Medical Use: Degrades into alcohol and CO₂, reducing the risk of inflammation compared to acid-producing biodegradable materials.
Global Market Outlook
Tightening global regulations are driving demand for sustainable polymer alternatives. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is enforcing microplastic restrictions in consumer goods, while global bans on single-use plastics are accelerating the shift toward scalable biodegradable materials.
Matthew Stone, CEO of Teysha Technologies, stated,
“The Everest test proves KarmaCane can survive the harshest environments. But more importantly, it shows that our polymer platform can be engineered to meet the needs of very different industries — from packaging to cosmetics to medical applications.”
Karen Wooley, CTO and inventor at Teysha Technologies, added,
“KarmaCane is not just one product. It’s a materials platform. We can design it as a solid, a liquid, or a water-based suspension, depending on the application. That versatility sets it apart from other biopolymers and is key to scaling sustainable solutions.”
Share:
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Threads
Facebook
Plastic Revolutionized, Nature Harmonized.
Learn more about the technology behind Teysha by scanning this QR code.
Plastic Revolutionized, Nature Harmonized.
Learn more about the technology behind Teysha by scanning this QR code.
- Africa House 70 Kingsway London WC2B 6AH
- Balcones Drive STE 100 Austin, TX 78731 Texas
- Dr. Clive Rankin
- Matthew Stone
- Prof. Karen L. Wooley
- Dr. Ashlee A. Jahnke
- Dr. Steve Taylor
- Duncan Clark
- Lane Allan
© 2025 – Made by The Solution UAE. All Rights Reserved
Term of Use | Privacy Policy
