Teysha Technologies, a specialist in biodegradable polymers from natural sources, has launched KarmaCane, a bioplastic derived entirely from natural feedstocks. According to the company, the material has the potential to eliminate 8,700 tonnes of microplastics used in cosmetics as thickeners, film-forming agents, stabilizers and more. It readily biodegrades into natural, non-harmful sugars and has received a Certificate of Biodegradability following successful OECD 310 testing.

Natural and Tunable Polycarbonate Platform

The ingredient is derived through Teysha’s natural product polycarbonate platform, which per the company, can create a wide range of polymers with tunable properties for practical short and long-term applications. The platform is said to provide the design of synthetic strategies for the development of polymer materials that originate from renewable resources, exhibit novel combinations of strength and toughness, as well as undergo hydrolytic breakdown to biologically beneficial by-products.

More specifically, polyhydroxyl natural products are used as the monomeric building blocks, while carbonates, found in common engineering materials, are used as the linkages. Two classes of polyhydroxyl natural monomers, saccharides and quinic acid, have been tested for the construction of polycarbonates, and the transformations of the two natural products can produce a wide range of linear and hyperbranched polymers and copolymers.

‘Plug and Play’ with Variable Durability

Per Teysha, the platform can be thought of as a “plug-and-play” system, where various modified natural product monomers and various thiol co-monomers can be used, so the strength, thermal stability and degradation rates can all be controlled according to end-use requirements. In addition, various solvents and additives can modify the properties of the final polymer network.

This allows for the formation of a variety of final products. In one aspect, the invention provides optimizable compositions, structures and architectures to persist in the environment for a useful period of time; in another aspect, the materials can undergo selective degradation into non-harmful substances when exposed to specific natural conditions for a prolonged period of time.

Rigorously Tested and Environmentally Friendly

Teysha reports it has rigorously tested KarmaCane compounds and formulas to fit product lines, production techniques and customer requirements and found that it provides an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based polycarbonate plastics. 

Karen Wooley, Ph.D., inventor and chief technology officer at Teysha Technologies, said, “The integration of biodegradable materials like KarmaCane in cosmetics not only meets the growing consumer demand for sustainable products, but also sets a new standard for the industry. We are excited to be leading the way in making beauty products safer for both consumers and the environment.”