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When it comes to waste management and lessening our impact on the environment, the world is facing a significant challenge. The manufacture and disposal of plastic products is one significant area of concern. As a result, the polymer industry has begun to place a greater emphasis on sustainability, with a focus on the three Rs: reuse, recycling, and sustainable polymer production.

Reuse

Minimizing the use of plastic products in the first place is the first step in reducing their negative effects on the environment. Promoting the reuse of plastic products is one way to achieve this. There is less need for single-use plastic items when products like reusable bags, water bottles, and food containers are used repeatedly.

Reusable packaging has become increasingly popular in the food industry in recent years. In order to cut down on the amount of plastic packaging that ends up in landfills, many grocery stores now give customers the option to bring their own containers for bulk food items. Similar to this, some cafes and restaurants give patrons who bring their own reusable cups discounts.

Encouragement of plastic product repair and refurbishment is another strategy for promoting reuse. This is especially useful for items like electronics, which are frequently thrown away when they could be fixed and used again. We can lessen waste and the need for new plastic items by extending the life of these products.

Recycling

Recycling is the next-best choice when plastic products do reach the end of their useful lives. Recycling entails repurposing old plastic waste into fresh goods, lessening the demand for virgin plastic production, and reducing the amount of plastic waste that pollutes the environment or ends up in landfills.

There are a number of difficulties with recycling plastic. The variety of plastic types is one significant issue, which can make it challenging to efficiently sort and process waste plastic. Some towns have single-stream recycling programs that enable citizens to combine all types of recyclable materials to address this problem. This strategy, though, has the potential to contaminate recycled plastic and degrade its general quality.

The low demand for recycled plastic is another issue. Recycled plastic finds it challenging to compete in the market because virgin plastic is frequently more affordable and accessible. Some businesses are working to increase the demand for recycled plastic in order to solve this problem by incorporating it into their goods or packaging. For instance, some businesses are currently using recycled plastic in their water bottles, which decreases the demand for the production of virgin plastic.

Production of Sustainable Polymers

Reusing and recycling plastic products are crucial steps toward reducing their negative effects on the environment, but they are insufficient on their own. We must create more environmentally friendly processes for making plastic if we are to effectively address the crisis of plastic waste.

Using bioplastics is one system for producing polymers sustainably. Bioplastics are plastics produced using renewable coffers like sugarcane or sludge bounce. These coffers are more sustainable than conventional petroleum- grounded plastics because they can be continuously grown and gathered.

The creation of novel, more environmentally friendly polymer product ways is another strategy. For case, some scientists are probing the use of enzymes to degrade waste plastic and produce fresh polymer accoutrements . Other people are working on perfecting the processes used to transfigure biomass into polymer feedstocks.

Conclusion

Reuse, recycling, and sustainable polymer product are essential for minimizing the negative environmental goods of plastic products. We can lessen the volume of plastic waste that pollutes the terrain or ends up in tips by encouraging the exercise of plastic goods, raising the demand for recycled plastic, and creating further environmentally friendly processes for making plastic. To make this vision a reality, however, governments, pots, and people all need to work together. We can make a further sustainable future for ourselves and unborn generations if we work together.

 

For a future that’s sustainable, recycling is a pivotal practice. Recycling allows accoutrements to be reused and keeps them out of tips
and the ocean, which reduces waste and conserves coffers. When it comes to recycling, plastic is one of the accoutrements that needs further consideration.

The plastics assiduity has made a sizable profitable donation to the world, but it has also seriously harmed the terrain. Growing environmental concern over the goods of plastic waste in recent times has directed attention on recycling and the direction of the plastics assiduity.

The Waste Problem with Plastic

Plastic has been used for numerous times for a variety of uses because it’s strong, featherlight, and protean. It’s now a commonplace material used in construction, electronics, apparel, and packaging in our diurnal lives.

Its adaptability, still, is also a weakness. The maturity of plastic ever produced is still in use moment because it takes hundreds of times for plastic to degrade. This plastic waste is ditched in tips, abysses, and other natural areas, where it seriously harms ecosystems and wildlife.

According to estimates, there are presently over 8 million tons of plastic in the ocean alone, making plastic pollution a major global issue. Due to studies indicating that microplastics have been discovered in seafood and valve water, this plastic waste not only poses a trouble to marine life but also has the implicit to enter our food chain. also, the product of plastic uses a lot of fossil energies, which makes it a major source of hothouse gas emigrations and climate change.

The Importance of Recycling

One of the stylish ways to lessen plastic waste’s impact on the terrain is through recycling. Recycling plastic can help with resource conservation, energy effectiveness, and the reduction of hothouse gas emigrations. By converting waste into a useful resource, it can also contribute to profitable value creation and job creation.

Plastic waste must be gathered, sorted, gutted, and reused into new products as part of the recycling process. Plastic recycling does present some difficulties, however. The fact that not all plastic can be reclaimed and that some recycling installations may not indeed accept recyclable plastics is one of the major problems.

High- viscosity polyethylene( HDPE), polypropylene( PP), and polyethylene terephthalate( PET) are the plastics that are reclaimed most constantly. These are the plastics set up in products like food holders, milk ewers, and water bottles.

Another issue is the impurity of plastic waste, which can be when recyclable and non-recyclable materials are combined. Food stains, canvases , or other substances left on the plastic can also pollute it, making recovering further grueling . juggernauts for proper education and mindfulness can discourage impurity and motivate people and businesses to reclaim duly.

The Plastics Industry’s Future

With a growing emphasis on sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact of plastic product, the plastics assiduity has experienced significant changes lately. The move towards circularity is one of the plastics assiduity’s most promising developments. In order to reduce waste and conserve coffers, circularity aims to establish a unrestricted- circle system in which materials are reclaimed and reused.

To increase the capability of plastics to be reclaimed, numerous businesses are presently making investments in new technologies and inventions. For case, some businesses are creating brand-new plastics that are simpler to reclaim and degrade more snappily. Others are making investments in recycling technologies that can handle a wider variety of plastic waste, indeed materials that aren’t presently recyclable.

also, some businesses are looking into cover materials for conventional plastics. Among them are bioplastics, which are produced using sustainable materials like cornstarch, sugarcane, and potato bounce.

Although there are obstacles, bioplastics have the eventuality to lessen the negative goods of plastic product on the terrain. For case, some bioplastics aren’t biodegradable and need particular circumstances to break down.

Conclusion

Recycling is crucial to lowering the environmental impact of plastic waste and is necessary for a sustainable future. The plastics industry has made a significant economic contribution to the world, but it has also seriously harmed the environment. However, there is hope for a better future for the plastics industry thanks to the growing emphasis on sustainability, circularity, and technological advancements.

Companies are spending money on innovative materials and technologies that can make plastics more recyclable and have a smaller negative impact on the environment. It is critical that everyone maintain recycling as a top priority and cooperate to build a more sustainable future.

 

Exploring bioplastic biodegradability and how it will impact our future

79 percent of the 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic created since the 1950s still accumulates in our environment. Plastic pollution frequently litters the UK’s coast, endangering wildlife and generating microplastics, which can enter the food chain. Here, Matthew Stone, Managing Director at Teysha Technologies, discusses the varied measures groups like Surfers Against Sewage and the UK Government have taken to reduce pollution on our beaches.

A welcomed break from the bustle of city life, we often associate a trip to the coast with fresh air and scenic landscapes. It is no surprise, therefore, that over 55 percent of people in Britain want to buy a seaside home. Sadly, the idyllic view of our beaches is being spoiled by pollution.

Beach pollution counts as any material that harms our coasts. It could come from plastic waste, litter, sewage or oil. Not only is it a public health risk but it also harms wildlife and its habitats, reduces property value and can limit economic growth in a community.

Plastic production is expected to double from 400 million tonnes to 800 million tonnes by 2040, so we must work together with the government, public, charities and businesses to tackle beach pollution. After all, what we see on the beaches is miniscule compared to what is floating around the rest of the ocean.

Sewage pollution

In the summer of 2022, water companies were criticised by the public for dumping untreated sewage into the sea which led to pollution warnings for more than 100 British beaches.

In the UK, water companies can use combined sewer overflows to release sewage and rainwater in times of extreme rain to prevent flooding. However, many have called into question whether the discharge of sewage was necessary because of the length and frequency recorded.

Despite an excellent rating in water quality, Ryde beach on the Isle of Wight experienced a spike in faecal pollution 40 times higher than normal after a local water company released untreated sewage for more than two-and-a-half hours. Beach-goers were warned to keep away from the area because of an increased risk of exposure to pathogenic bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis and other infections.

In August 2022, the then environment secretary, George Eustice announced that water companies must invest £56 billion over 25 years into a long-term programme. The investment’s purpose is to increase the capacity of a company’s networks and treat sewage before it’s discharged. If water companies do not meet these targets, they could face substantial fines or be made to return money to customers.

Since this plan was announced, the UK Government has changed significantly, with Rishi Sunak now the Prime Minister and a new cabinet announced. It is vital that the new government prioritises tackling sewage pollution by keeping this plan on the government business moving forwards, ensuring water companies can no longer discharge sewage into our waterways, except under exceptional circumstances.

Plastic pollution

One way that the British public have tried to combat plastic pollution on beaches is to volunteer for clean-up sessions. During the 2021 Great British Beach Clean, 6,176 volunteers found an average of 112 plastic or polystyrene pieces per 100m of beach. In fact, 75 percent of all litter collected on the beach clean was plastic or polystyrene.

It is clear, therefore, that we need to continue focusing our attention on single-use plastic. This was shown by the decreasing number of single-use plastic bags found per 100m of beach, which dropped from 13 to 3.

We also need to focus on targeting the companies that are continuing to use unsustainable materials. Surfers against Sewage, an environmental charity, recently projected on the White Cliffs of Dover the 12 companies producing 70 percent of branded packaging found during its Million Mile Clean. These included big household names like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nestlé and Carlsberg Group. The charity has labelled this group the Dirty Dozen and argued that they are not living up to their sustainability pledges.

Much emphasis has been placed on reformer groups like the Marine Conservation Society, who are constantly recruiting volunteers to help clean our beaches. However, the corporate start-up approach is equally important.

Businesses that influence pollution need to be held accountable and prove that they are actively pursuing new, sustainable solutions. For example, corporate financiers can use their background to help deploy early-stage funding for developing truly biodegradable biopolymers. This is exactly how Teysha Technologies found its feet.

Plastic alternatives

One way people are reducing plastic pollution is by looking to the past. Recently, surfers have been trying to bring back traditional wooden boards. These surfboards are more sustainable than their foam or epoxy alternatives. They are also known to carry more momentum and deal with surface chop better, improving user experience, as well as being sustainable.

As some look to the past, others look to the future with innovative plastic alternatives. One of these alternatives is AggiePol, a novel bioplastic developed by Teysha Technologies. Since AggiePol doesn’t contain petrochemicals, it doesn’t rely on finite fossil fuels. Instead, it’s made from natural feedstocks like agricultural waste that are high in supply.

In July 2022, AggiePol was issued a certificate of biodegradability following successful OECD310 testing, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional petrochemical plastics.

AggiePol’s tunability options mean that it can be tailored to undergo slow or rapid biodegradation in a natural environment, depending on its intended application. Unlike other bioplastics, it does not require resource-intensive catalysts to degrade. This makes it suitable for industries that rely on single-use plastics like food and beverage or packaging.

Reducing beach pollution is a momentous task that requires effort from the public, businesses and government. As an island nation, we have a duty to look after the ocean if we hope to look after our own health and well-being. One of the ways that we have done this is by developing innovative materials to replace single-use plastic.

To find out more about the newly certified biodegradable AggiePol, head to the Teysha Technologies website here.

Source: Design Products & Applications

Biopolymer specialist Teysha Technologies has been issued a Certificate of Biodegradability for its polymer platform, AggiePol, following successful OECD 310 testing. Now AggiePol, a novel bioplastic derived entirely from natural feedstocks, has been confirmed to be readily biodegradable — meaning that it biodegrades to natural, non-harmful sugars. The material represents a genuinely sustainable plastic replacement, unlike conventional bioplastics that are partially petroleum-based and not readily biodegradable.

The global plastic additives market is worth approximately $50bn and is expected to reach roughly $75bn in five years’ time. Many additives are microplastics used in commercial products, like cosmetics, and contribute to the ongoing pollution of waterways and the food chain. For example, a shower using a traditional shower gel containing microplastics deposits up to 100,000 microbeads in the ocean. Globally, governments are implementing legislation, such as banning exfoliating plastic microbeads, and businesses are seeking sustainable alternative materials to combat the problem.

Teysha Technologies’ AggiePol platform represents a solution to the plastics pollution problem. Unlike conventional bioplastics that are partially petroleum-based and do not readily biodegrade in natural conditions, AggiePol contains no petroleum and is officially a readily biodegradable material after OECD 310 testing.

Matthew Stone, chairman of Teysha Technologies, said: “The limitations of conventional bioplastics, in terms of biodegradation, are well known, but the argument in their favour was that, while they were not perfect, they were the best available alternative to traditional plastics. Now AggiePol has been officially certified as being biodegradable, we can provide a truly sustainable material solution to additives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals that provides harmony with our waterways, ecology and food chain.

“In many ways, this can be seen as the holy grail in the search for plastic replacements and represents an opportunity for industries to switch to a truly sustainable alternative and drive policy change when it comes to industrial plastics. We will commence product testing and manufacturing and scale up immediately.”

Karen Wooley, chief technology officer at Teysha Technologies, said: “AggiePol’s tunability options mean it can be tailored to undergo slow or rapid biodegradation depending on the application. This makes it suitable for use in markets like packaging, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where businesses still rely on either traditional plastics or partially petroleum-based bioplastics that contribute significantly to ongoing pollution.”

To discover more about AggiePol and learn how it can be used as a truly biodegradable alternative to conventional bioplastics, contact Teysha Technologies through its website.

Source: London Daily News

In 2019, a study by the World Health Organisation estimated that the average adult would consume between 300 and 600 microplastics a day. Three years later, a recent study by the Medical University of Vienna has suggested that on average, people eat five grams of micro and nanoplastics every week. There is growing concern around the levels of harm microplastics can cause as they’ve been found in human blood, lungs and faeces. Here Dr Ashlee Jahnke, Head of Research at biodegradable biopolymer research platform Teysha Technologies, explains how microplastics have impacted human bodies and what steps can be taken to reduce microplastic pollution for the future.

In March 2022, scientists from the Netherlands and the UK analysed blood samples from 22 anonymous donors and found plastic particles in 17 of them. Half of the samples in the study contained PET plastic and a third contained polystyrene. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a clear and lightweight plastic that is widely used for food and beverage packaging. Despite being 100 per cent recyclable and approved as safe for food and beverage contact by organisations like the FDA, it is still prone to fragmenting into microplastics.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, that measure less than five millimetres, that can enter the body through food, water and breathing. Primary microplastics, typically known as microbeads, are designed for commercial use and can be found in cosmetics or synthetic textiles. Secondary microplastics are formed unintentionally as a result of the breakdown of larger plastics through exposure to environmental factors like water erosion and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. These microplastics can be transported to remote areas of the world by wind and water.

The impact of microplastics on the human body

Currently, there isn’t sufficient evidence to uncover how plastic particles are retained in the body or the damage they can cause. One study has found that microplastics can latch onto the outer membranes of red blood cells and limit their ability to transport oxygen. In 2022, scientists also discovered that microplastics could breach the blood-brain barrier in mice and negatively impact the microglial cells in the brain. The desire to discover more about the effect of microplastics on the human body has led to charities like Common Seas imploring the UK Government to allocate £15 million of Whitehall R&D funding towards research into human health impacts of plastics.

One previous study found that the number of microplastics found in the faeces of bottle-fed babies was ten times higher compared to adults. This is because the recommended high-temperature process for sterilising baby bottles, which involves sterilising the bottle in 95 degree Celsius water and then shaking the formula powder with 70 degree Celsius water in the bottle, caused them to shed millions of microplastics and nanoplastics.

Most experiments that aim to answer whether microplastics cause harm use animals like mice and rats. In one experiment, mice that were exposed to microplastics saw tissue damage, a decrease in body weight and changes in lymphocyte composition. There was also evidence of intergenerational problems as the offspring of mice exposed to microplastics suffered liver damage and metabolic disorders. However, despite these studies, many argue there is still not enough sufficient evidence to answer whether microplastics cause harm in the human body.

How microplastics show the flaws in solutions to plastic pollution

Despite the strong narrative that plastics and microplastics are dangerous for the environment and for human bodies, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that plastic production will double by 2040 at the current trajectory.

Plastics, like PET, that are used in 70 per cent of soft drink bottles are praised for being 100 per cent recyclable. Two life-cycle studies found that plastic bottles made using PET created fewer greenhouse gas emissions and generated less solid waste than drinks in glass bottles or aluminium cans. These factors make PET a desirable, sustainable choice for food and drink packaging manufacturers.

However, a 2022 study found that the faeces of people with more severe IBD symptoms had 1.5 times more microplastic particles per gram than those from healthy subjects. PET plastic was one of the most common types of plastics found in the faeces, which is similar to the study of microplastics in the bloodstream.

How can the microplastic problem be solved?

Action has been taken to limit the production of some microplastics. In 2018, the UK Government banned the sale of products containing microbeads, small pieces of plastic that are added to products like face scrubs and shower gels. Businesses are also getting involved. In 2021, Teysha Technologies partnered with a major North American multinational additives manufacturer to begin developing alternatives to petroleum-based microplastics. These alternatives, once developed, have the potential to be used in a variety of applications like dyes, paints, exfoliants, emulsions and lubricants.

According to market data collected by European Bioplastics and nova-Institute, global bioplastic production is set to increase from 2.42 million tonnes in 2021 to approximately 7.59 million tonnes in 2026. Bioplastics are seen as a popular alternative to traditional petrochemical plastics as they use less fossil fuel resources and have a smaller carbon footprint. However, for many bioplastics to degrade quickly and less harmfully, they must go through industrial composting.

As interest grows in biopolymers, so does innovation. Teysha Technologies is researching and testing the next generation of environmentally friendly biopolymers, like AggiePol, that offers variable solubilities, thermal transition temperatures and mechanical behaviours. The biopolymer can be tuned to each application requirement to operate and break down in specific environmental conditions. The result is an environmentally-friendly, biodegradable plastic.

Though more research is needed to understand the prevalence of microplastics in the human body and the harm that they can cause, businesses must consider environmentally-friendly alternatives for their products.

Dr Ashlee Jahnke is Head of Research at biodegradable biopolymer research platform Teysha Technologies,  

It’s no secret that plant-based polycarbonate (PC) can be problematic. Not only does the plastic demonstrate complex technical properties, developing alternative chemical intermediates with the performance potential of petrochemical-based PCs can be a time-consuming process.

The wider polymer industry is already beginning to shift towards renewable carbon feedstocks such as biomass and CO₂ to reduce GHG emissions – driven by incentives and legislative penalties.

But we are also seeing more traditional producers of polycarbonates use waste carbon feedstock and/or the mass balance approach to bring certified renewable products made from biobased hydrocarbons to market.

 

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‘If crude oil values remain persistently high, it is possible that biobased plastics will become increasingly competitive‘

Jennifer Hawkins, Tecnon OrbiChem Business Manager

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‘Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally savvy in their buying habits,’ says Tecnon OrbiChem Business Manager Jennifer Hawkins. ‘…But even more so in the automobile sector, where polycarbonate features heavily.’

‘As sales of electric cars continue to grow in a bid to meet cleaner air targets, more focus is being drawn on the materials being used to make them. It defies logic that the world continues to burn fossil fuels while trying to make green, environmentally friendly vehicles.

‘Until now, the cost of high performing biomaterials has limited their use in car production, but if crude oil values remain persistently high, it is possible that biobased plastics will become increasingly competitive, and viable for large scale industrial production use.’

Class: high heat polymers

An unusual and useful class of high heat polymers, polycarbonates (PC) demonstrate toughness and optical clarity. The most-used polycarbonate is produced by condensation polymerisation using Bisphenol A (BPA) along with either carbonyl chloride – also known as phosgene – or diphenyl carbonate.

Increasingly however, polycarbonates are being made with diphenyl carbonate – which removes the poisonous gas phosgene from the process. The phosgene free diphenyl carbonate (DPC) process – also known as the melt process – is cost-effective. Commercialised by Asahi Kasei in partnership with CHIMEI Corp, the pair opened a plant in Taiwan in 2002. Asahi started developing its non-phosgene aromatic for PC production 50 years ago.

CO₂ copolymerisation

Aliphatic polycarbonates are synthesised by the copolymerisation of CO₂ and propylene oxide – or other epoxides. It’s a process that has been commercialised but on a limited scale only.

Asahi reacts ethylene oxide with CO₂ to yield ethylene carbonate, then reacts that with methanol to give dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and monoethylene glycol. It isn’t alone in laying claim to this CO₂-based DMC technology but other producers use propylene oxide, or synthesise propylene carbonate instead of ethylene carbonate before reacting with phenol.

Aromatic versus aliphatic…

When it comes to CO₂-based PCs, it’s the aromatic variety that remains among the most available. But aliphatic polycarbonates (APC) – polypropylene carbonate (PPC) and polyethylene carbonate (PEC) – are increasingly available. Fast-approaching a century in existence, APCs were first manufactured by a DuPont lab around the 1930s.

PPC is synthesised from direct copolymerisation of CO₂ and propylene oxide. It is said to have good barrier properties and can be used in food packaging applications

PEC uses an ethylene oxide feedstock. Because it is extrudable, it can be a suitable barrier film for multilayer construction. In terms of its end of life profile, PEC decomposes completely above 200^oC and biodegrades in specific conditions.

The German research organisation the nova-Institute has reported PEC and PPC-based products to demonstrate 50% weight for aliphatic-type polymers.

High molecular mass aliphatic PCs

Ideal for injection moulding, high molecular mass aliphatic PCs have been developed. In these materials, starch-derived diol isosorbide replaces BPA. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation developed its biobased PC DurabioTM using Roquette’s isosorbide.

In 2021, Samyang Innochem – a subsidiary of South Korea-based PC producer Samyang Group – announced construction was underway for a 1000 ktpa isosorbide plant in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do Province, China. The company’s intent was to incorporate the biobased intermediate into its PC manufacturing.

Renewable tech on the rise

UK-based bioplastic startup Teysha Technologies developed a new biobased polycarbonate platform called AggiePol based on polyhydroxyl monomers – for example saccharides and quinic acid.

The transformations of these polyhydroxyl monomers can produce a wide range of linear and hyperbranched polymers and copolymers. Based on a plug-and-play system, the biopolymer can be tuned physically, mechanically and chemically as well as its degradation rate to suit the needs of its intended applications.

And Sabic’s LexanTM PC engineering thermoplastic resin – produced at its Cartagena, Spain, PC plant – uses certified renewable feedstock. The Saudi Arabia-headquartered company also produces mass balanced-based benzene at its steam cracker in Europe. Sabic’s process combines UPM’s renewable BioVerno bio-naphtha with fossil-based naphtha with the biobased benzene then used to produce phenol for PC feedstock. For each kilogram of PC produced based on certified renewable feedstock, around 61% of CO₂ emission is reduced, Sabic claims.

Covestro has enlisted the help of Neste to replace the several thousand tons of fossil- based raw materials in its polycarbonates with Neste’s renewable hydrocarbons – biobased naphtha and bio-propane. The company markets a PC made from biobased phenol and makes PC grades from post-consumer recycled content.

With traditional chemicals producers and startups increasingly moving into the biobased space, plastics are set to become more sustainable in the future.

Tecnon OrbiChem provides insight, analysis, data and commentary on technologies emerging in the biomaterials sector.

Source: Statista/Covestro

This blog post was inspired by Doris de Guzman’s white paper Developing renewable polycarbonates – A balancing act.

Biopolymer innovator Teysha Technologies has joined NIAB to research, test and develop bioplastics for the agricultural industry in the UK. The opportunity will allow Teysha to expand as the start up further commercialises in the UK, utilising the Eastern Agritech Innovation Hub near Cambridge. The Hub will be the focal point for developing and testing new sustainable materials and bioplastics to tackle growing plastic pollution as well as investigating waste feedstock options within British agricultural operations.

The first innovation to be delivered from the new Teysha laboratory will be a series of new polyester composite materials. Their purpose will be to replace some products that are currently based on petrochemical plastics, as well as improve the biodegradability of existing bioplastics such as polylactic acid. Unlike other polymer manufacturing processes, the synthesis of Teysha’s materials generates zero chemical by-products for disposal. Its properties make it susceptible to microbial breakdown, a desirable benefit for applications like packaging.

Teysha’s new polyester composites show promise as plastic alternatives across industries like agriculture and horticulture. For example, British gardeners go through 500 million plastic plant pots a year that are either incinerated or sent to landfills. On average they take an estimated 450 years to degrade and in the process may release toxic additives, dyes and microplastics into the environment. To address this, Teysha is targeting the development of alternatives using polyester composites. The goal is to prototype alternative options that provide additional plant nourishment while also having the ability to either biodegrade or be composted.

“This opportunity to work with the NIAB will allow us to further develop innovative, sustainable materials that can replace harmful plastics in industries like agriculture, as well as examine waste feedstocks for our range of biopolymers.” Said Matthew Stone, Managing Director of Teysha Technologies. “Working with such an important UK institution will also accelerate commercialisation in the UK.”

Teysha Technologies was established to solve the problems surrounding the production and use of plastics. In partnership with Texas A&M University, Teysha have developed novel second generation bioplastics based on sugar polycarbonates. Now, Teysha is extending its commercial operations to the UK where it is establishing a laboratory facility and a relationship with the NIAB.

The NIAB Group is the UK’s fastest-growing crop science organisation, addressing the challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable development in agriculture. The group works with local and national businesses at the hub to carry out commercial scale pilot studies that aid the development of the agricultural and horticultural industries in the UK.

To find out more about Teysha Technologies and its research into tuneable biodegradable biopolymers, visit the Teysha Technologies website.