Category: press release

Introduction:
Biodegradable Future stands as a beacon of innovation, providing a crucial pathway for companies in the textile and plastics industry to achieve a net zero solution. In the face of challenges posed by traditional recycling methods, which often allow plastic waste to escape into landfills and oceans, this report explores how Biodegradable Future’s organic additives offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. The company’s commitment to creating a greener planet without compromising on polymer properties makes it a driving force in the journey towards sustainability.

Challenges in Traditional Recycling:
The limitations of conventional recycling practices are evident, with a significant portion of plastic waste evading proper disposal and contributing to environmental degradation. Biodegradable Future recognizes the urgency of addressing these challenges and provides an innovative solution that transcends the constraints of traditional recycling.

Organic Additives and Microbial-Rich Environments:
At the heart of Biodegradable Future’s approach lies the formulation of organic additives designed to interact with enzymes in microbial-rich environments. This strategic integration attracts enzymes to polymer products, fostering the formation of colonies that accelerate the biodegradation process. This not only aids in waste reduction but also results in biomass fertile output, promoting ecological balance.

Preservation of Polymer Properties:
A key differentiator of Biodegradable Future’s solution is its ability to maintain the durability, storage stability, color, and tensile strength of polymers. This ensures that companies can transition toward sustainability without compromising on the performance and quality of their products, making it an attractive option for the textile and plastics industry.

Mitigation of Micro and Nanoplastics:
In addition to offering a net zero solution, Biodegradable Future’s organic additives play a crucial role in mitigating the generation of micro and nanoplastics in polymer plastics and textiles. By facilitating a controlled degradation process, the additives contribute to minimizing the environmental impact associated with these minute plastic particles.

Conclusion:
Biodegradable Future’s pioneering approach represents a significant stride toward a net zero solution for the textile and plastics industry. By addressing the limitations of traditional recycling methods, preserving polymer properties, and actively mitigating micro and nanoplastics, the company provides a comprehensive and sustainable alternative. As companies embrace Biodegradable Future’s technology, they contribute to building a greener and more environmentally conscious future for our planet.

Below is a more detailed comparison of various types of biodegradable plastics, including information

about their source, biodegradability, characteristics, and common applications:

Biodegradable Plastic Type	Source	Biodegradability	Characteristics and Common Applications
Polylactic Acid (PLA)	Cornstarch or sugarcane	Biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, slower in natural environments	– Transparent and rigid – Used in food packaging, disposable cutlery, food containers – May not be suitable for high-heat applications due to low melting point
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)	Produced by microorganisms	Completely biodegradable in various environments	– Versatile and adaptable – Used in biodegradable packaging, agricultural films, medical products – Can replace conventional plastics in various applications
Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT)	Typically synthesized from petroleum-based materials	Biodegradable under industrial composting conditions	– Flexible and durable – Blended with other biodegradable plastics for improved properties – Used in biodegradable packaging materials
Starch-Based Biodegradable Plastics	Derived from starch (e.g., corn or potatoes)	Biodegradable under industrial composting conditions	– Good moisture resistance – Used in disposable cutlery, bags, packaging materials – Generally more affordable than some other biodegradable plastics
PHA Blends	Blends of PHA and other biodegradable or traditional plastics	Biodegradability depends on the specific blend	– Varied properties depending on the blend – Suitable for various applications combining different biodegradable plastic characteristics
Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics	Traditional plastics with additives promoting fragmentation	Fragments into smaller pieces, raising concerns about microplastics	– Fragments when exposed to environmental stress – Used in bags and packaging materials in regions with legal requirements – Some controversy due to microplastic issues
biodegradable Future additive	organic compounds used to treat synthetic polymers	complete Biodegradability of polymer chain by microorganisms in specific environments	-Flexible, Durable, Versatile, adaptable, and used as biodegradable packaging material. It also has good moisture resistance.

Why Oxo-biodegradable plastic is awful and banned in the EU.

Oxo-biodegradable plastic is a type of plastic that has been treated with additives to accelerate the degradation process when exposed to environmental conditions, such as heat and light. However, the use and promotion of oxo-biodegradable plastic have been met with controversy and have led to its restriction in some regions, including the European Union. Here is a comparison chart highlighting some of the reasons why oxo-biodegradable plastic is considered problematic and banned in the EU:

Aspect	Oxo-Biodegradable Plastic	EU Ban and Concerns
Degradability	Claimed to degrade into smaller fragments	Concerns about incomplete degradation and microplastic pollution.
Environmental Impact	May contribute to microplastic pollution	Microplastics harm ecosystems and aquatic life.
Recycling Compatibility	Interferes with traditional recycling streams	Disrupts established recycling systems.
Regulatory Concerns	Banned in the EU for certain uses	Concerns about false environmental claims and misleading consumers.
Lack of Proven Benefits	Limited scientific evidence of significant environmental benefits	Scepticism regarding effectiveness.
Ambiguity in Claims	May mislead consumers into thinking it’s an eco-friendly solution	Concerns about greenwashing.
Alternatives Available	Eco-friendly alternatives like compostable plastics	Safer options exist for reducing plastic pollution.
Potential for Toxic Residues	Concerns about the toxicity of degraded plastic residues	Health and environmental risks.

It’s important to note that the EU has taken steps to restrict the use of oxo-biodegradable plastic because it may not deliver the environmental benefits it claims while posing potential risks to ecosystems and recycling systems. As a result, the use of oxo-biodegradable plastic is not recommended in the European Union.

Oxo-biodegradables are currently outlawed in most Western regions, including the EU and US, and critics accuse Western companies of continuing to peddle PAC plastics to profiteer from largely uninformed, undeveloped and vulnerable nations where legislation has yet to be enforced

Unilever has set itself the goal of making all its products completely biodegradable, knowing it would be a massive undertaking. By investing in research, working with its partners across its supply chain, and considering the entire product lifecycle, Unilever is making progress towards this clean future

Like most businesses, Unilever is looking at how it can improve the sustainability of its operations. One stated goal is to make all its products completely biodegradable, by 2030. ‘Most of our home care, beauty and personal care products eventually go down the drain,’ says Ian Malcomber, chemical safety and programme director in the company’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC). ‘We want to make sure the Earth’s resources are not impacted by our products.’

While Unilever is already careful only to use ingredients with data that documents their safety both to humans and the environment, a couple of years ago there was a realisation that consumer sentiment was trending away from ingredients that remain longer in the environment after use, regardless of whether they do harm or not. Consumers want products to leave no trace.

The surfactants that are the major component of most household and personal care products have changed enormously in recent years, and are now routinely biodegradable. The branched surfactants introduced in the 1950s did not break down very quickly, forming foams in waterways and treatment plants, and biodegradable linear surfactant molecules were designed to replace them. ‘They are a good example of high-volume materials that were re-engineered to be able to biodegrade completely and quickly,’ says Chris Finnegan, safety and sustainability science leader at Unilever’s SEAC.

Volume-wise, more than 90% of the ingredients in Unilever’s products already biodegrade within hours, days or, at most, weeks. But the remainder can take longer to break down. This includes polymer materials with applications such as rheology modification or soil release. Other examples are silicones in hair conditioners, and fluorescers used as optical brightening agents in laundry detergents. All are used in much smaller volumes.

this leaves the dichotomy of how to make something that is designed to be stable into something more unstable. Innovation will be required to unpick the science of these materials

IAN HOWELL, HOMECARE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY R&D DIRECTOR, UNILEVER

For laundry products, the biggest challenge is with the use of polymers and high-performance chemicals that are added to make concentrated products, which are more effective and lower the carbon footprint of the product. ‘They’ve done a great job because they allowed us to reduce our total chemical loading and that now enables us to shift our focus to ensure all ingredients are also fully biodegradable,’ says Ian Howell, homecare science and technology R&D director.

Polymers provide rheology modification to liquids, as thicker liquids (which consumers prefer) are easier to measure out and handle, but non-biodegradable polyacrylates predominate. Cleaning polymers are now routinely added to laundry detergents. These stabilise soils in the wash to give better performance, but although some advances have been made, many biodegrade slowly. But polymers are not the only challenge.

There is no known rapidly biodegradable alternative to the fluorescent optical brightening agents, Howell says. ‘The aromatic molecules are stable, which you want to prevent them photodegrading. This leaves the dichotomy of how to make something that is designed to be stable into something more unstable. Innovation will be required to unpick the science of these materials.’

there is an exciting world ahead for future students to get involved in

CHRIS FINNEGAN, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE LEADER, UNILEVER

Some fragrance ingredients and pH-stable colorants can also biodegrade slowly. Fragrances in fabric conditioners can be encapsulated in polymers that are slowly biodegradable. This encapsulation has allowed the amount of fragrance in a product to be reduced, which is good from a sustainability standpoint, but less so for biodegradability. 

New molecules and formulations

Unilever makes very few of the ingredients it uses; the vast majority are sourced from chemicals manufacturers and suppliers. ‘We are working in partnership with our suppliers to see if there are existing chemistries that might be able to meet the need, or whether new ones will be needed,’ Malcomber says. ‘How can we partner with them to help them commercialise these technologies?’

It may be possible to rationally design biodegradable alternatives, highlighting the importance of building up science and capabilities in biodegradation science. ‘A lot of knowledge has been built up in the design of molecules, such as whether inserting a group, or orientating it differently, might give access points for bacteria to break it down quickly,’ Finnegan says. ‘There is an exciting world ahead for future students to get involved in.’

This will require broader collaboration with academia and industrial partners. . To that end Unilever is partnering with the Universities of Liverpool and Oxford on an £8.8m program supported by the EPSRC. ’We will not achieve the UK’s Net Zero goal by 2050 without a transformation of the global chemical supply chain,’ says Howell. ’This partnership is an important milestone towards that transformation by galvanising research on new renewable and biodegradable materials for everyday products, such as detergents.’

‘One might take a biodegradable natural polymer but then need to functionalise it for a specific application, but there aren’t that many natural polymers, and the modifications may prevent biodegradation,’ Howell continues. ‘This is why we want to use renewable monomers to make functional polymers, building in biodegradable links.’

the big elephant in the room is how do you make a biodegradable product that is both hydrolytically and enzymatically stable, when biodegradation is all about enzymatic and hydrolytic instability

IAN HOWELL

Achieving full biodegradability isn’t simply a case of finding new ingredients: the formulation challenges are also significant. In contrast to the renewables programme, where LAB surfactants from renewable and petrochemical sources have the same molecular structure and therefore can be switched in without problems, drop-in biodegradable replacements are unlikely as the new molecular structure will interact differently with all the other ingredients. ‘The whole system has been designed to enable cleaning polymers to work,’ Howell says. ‘Tweaks to the formulation are likely to be required – it might need a different surfactant ratio, perhaps, or a slightly different ionic strength. And some of the other ingredients might also need to be changed. It is a huge optimisation challenge.’

While there is a desire to use only ingredients that biodegrade fairly quickly, there is a balance – the product also has to be shelf-stable. Take the enzymes that break down dirt and stains in laundry liquids. Esterases chew up oily and fatty stains, which are often esters, but if polymers are made biodegradable by inserting ester links, the enzymes might destroy them, too. ‘The big elephant in the room is how do you make a biodegradable product that is both hydrolytically and enzymatically stable, when biodegradation is all about enzymatic and hydrolytic instability?’ Howell says. ‘Do I need to invent a new format that segregates materials so my biodegradable polymer doesn’t come into contact with the enzymes until they meet in the wash? It might be the only way to have a stable product that is also biodegradable.’

And then there’s acrylic-maleic copolymer used in powder formulations to prevent aggregation during processing and storage, keeping them as powders. While in Europe liquid laundry detergents are now commonplace, in many developing markets powders still dominate, partly for affordability for many consumers, and partly because of their effective cleaning. 58% of the company’s turnover in 2020 was in emerging markets, and more costly replacements are unlikely to be acceptable. ‘We have still got to be able to cater to those consumers, too,’ Malcomber says.

It is important we get the messages right for chemicals, and we need to have robust data

CHRIS FINNEGAN

One early success story has already come in the Persil brand. Unilever has been working with a supplier to introduce biodegradable features into the soil release polymer molecules, as well as changing to green carbon sourcing. 

Prove it!

Consumers will need reassurance that the products are, indeed, biodegradable. ‘Biodegradation for chemicals has been overshadowed by some of the “greenwash” around biodegradable packaging,’ Finnegan says. ‘It is important we get the messages right for chemicals, and we need to have robust data.’

There are already OECD-approved methodologies for assessing biodegradability. Ultimate biodegradation means it breaks down completely to its component parts – carbon dioxide, water and mineral salts – which get returned to the Earth’s natural cycles.

But even if something does undergo ultimate biodegradation, the rate at which it breaks down is important. OECD test guidelines cover both how readily a chemical biodegrades, and whether it biodegrades completely. ‘Ready biodegradation is accepted to translate to biodegradation in the environment in hours or days, while for the inherent test, it could be hours, days or weeks – but not months or years,’ Malcomber says. ‘This is where consumer concern could arise if things are staying in the environment for an excessively long period of time.’

Much of the biodegradation data is generated by the ingredient suppliers but, Finnegan says, the tests are not perfect for every chemical class: they tend to be better suited to water-soluble materials. ‘Task forces are coming together to evolve more suitable tests for materials with challenging physicochemical profiles,’ he says. ‘There is a lot of interest in whether tests can be further evolved to take in broader chemistries.’

There is also the prospect of adding renewable sources into the mix, too; Unilever’s Carbon Rainbow programme outlines the approach to diversify sources of carbon. ‘If you can identify chemistry that is biodegradable, could we create it from carbon that is not sourced from petrochemicals, but from carbon capture or plant-based sources?’ Malcomber says.

Source: © Unilever

Unilever’s ‘Carbon Rainbow’ is a novel approach to diversify the carbon used in its product formulations. Non-renewable fossil sources of carbon (identified in the Carbon Rainbow as black carbon) will be replaced using captured CO2 (purple carbon), plants and biological sources (green carbon), marine sources such as algae (blue carbon), and carbon recovered from waste materials (grey carbon). The sourcing of carbon under the Carbon Rainbow will be governed and informed by environmental impact assessments and work with Unilever’s industry-leading sustainable sourcing programmes to prevent unintended pressures on land use.

‘It shouldn’t necessarily make it more difficult – we just have to make sure we account for biodegradability as we are developing those renewable sources. This is how our commitments combine – by also moving to renewable materials, the CO₂ is not from fossil fuels, so it doesn’t release petrochemical-derived carbon.’

But the 2030 target for full biodegradability remains challenging, Howell says. ‘With the brand team over the next year or so we will be looking through the challenging list of slowly biodegradable materials we use, and deciding which we will have to drop, which have an acceptable alternative, and where we need a research breakthrough. It’s a massive undertaking.’

About Biodegradable Future

According to GreenPeace, less than 10% of the plastic we produce has been recycled, because recycling is expensive. What happens to the other 90%? It pollutes our landfills, oceans and groundwater for hundreds, even thousands of years.

What is the solution?

Biodegradable Future is a lead supplier of plastic additives that are changing the way we work with plastic. We have developed an additive will not compromise the physical characteristics of your plastic goods, will not negatively impact the recycling process or combustibility and, if it ends up in a landfill, ocean or soil, it will naturally biodegrade.

Concerned about unplanned or premature biodegration?

Plastic treated with our additive has the life span equivalent to untreated plastic in environments such as retail stores, warehouses, offices etc. These environments do not provide the conditions necessary for the biodegration process to take place. In fact, active biodegration environments require bacterial and fungal colonies found in landfills. Those conditions are ideal for the microbes to colonise on the plastic product and begin digesting the smaller polymer compounds.
 

Learn more about the full biodegration process here

• The biodegradation rate depends on the biologically-active landfills and according to the type of plastic used, the product configuration, temperature and moisture levels of the landfill.

Plastic manufacture has expanded tremendously throughout the years due to its convenience, durability, and affordability. However, the vast majority of plastic objects are intended for single-use only, resulting in a substantial buildup of plastic trash that is difficult to manage and dispose of correctly.

Plastic consumption has doubled in the previous 30 years, owing to rising demand in emerging nations. Between 2000 and 2019, global plastics output more than doubled to 460 million tonnes. Plastics provide 3.4% of total world greenhouse gas emissions.

Between 2000 and 2019, global plastic trash generation more than doubled to 353 million tonnes. Plastics with lifetimes of less than five years account for over two-thirds of all plastic trash, with packaging accounting for 40%, consumer products accounting for 12%, and apparel and textiles accounting for 11%.

Unfortunately, a significant portion of these plastics end up as waste, with only a fraction being recycled or properly managed.

“Only 9% of plastic garbage is recycled around the world, while 22% is mismanaged.”

A significant amount of plastic garbage gets up in the world’s oceans, where it degrades into microplastics and presents serious risks to marine life. Plastic is frequently mistaken for food by sea species, resulting in ingestion and entanglement, which can end in harm or death. The contamination of the marine environment has an impact on the entire aquatic ecosystem, including the food chain, which in turn has an impact on human health.

Plastic garbage is also clogging landfills and illicit dumping sites, causing soil and groundwater pollution. Plastic waste can disintegrate over hundreds of years, worsening the situation over time. Furthermore, burning plastic garbage emits hazardous chemicals and contributes to air pollution, negatively damaging human health and the environment.

Addressing the global plastic crisis requires a multifaceted approach.Governments, industries, and individuals must collaborate to reduce plastic production, promote sustainable alternatives, and improve waste management systems.

One such organisation working towards the goal is Biodegradable Future. They have developed additives which will boost the biodegradability of any plastic goods without compromising the physical characteristics and will not negatively impact the recycling process if it ends up in a landfill, ocean or soil, it will naturally biodegrade.

Biodegradable Future aids businesses and manufacturers overcome the difficulties they currently face. The additive is made to prevent the plastic from degrading until it comes into touch with bacteria, ensuring that the plastic keeps its strength. Thus, there are no unpleasant shocks when using polymers that have undergone additive treatment; they maintain the same strength as other plastics.

The additives will work on all plastic items, including single-use shopping bags and custom-engineered durable parts. Additionally, Biodegradable Future provides a thorough consultation on the requirements in order to ascertain and validate whether how one can use this product in their enterprise.

The high expense of switching away from plastic in manufacturing and packaging is one of the reasons businesses are hesitant to do so. The affordable additives are more reasonable than the majority of plastic substitutes, keeping the prices down. Biodegradable Future additives have been shown to biodegrade plastic much faster than natural techniques in tests utilising the ASTM D5511 standard.

About Biodegradable Future

According to GreenPeace, less than 10% of the plastic we produce has been recycled, because recycling is expensive. What happens to the other 90%? It pollutes our landfills, oceans and groundwater for hundreds, even thousands of years.

What is the solution?

Biodegradable Future is a lead supplier of plastic additives that are changing the way we work with plastic. We have developed an additive will not compromise the physical characteristics of your plastic goods, will not negatively impact the recycling process or combustibility and, if it ends up in a landfill, ocean or soil, it will naturally biodegrade.

Concerned about unplanned or premature biodegration?

Plastic treated with our additive has the life span equivalent to untreated plastic in environments such as retail stores, warehouses, offices etc. These environments do not provide the conditions necessary for the biodegration process to take place. In fact, active biodegration environments require bacterial and fungal colonies found in landfills. Those conditions are ideal for the microbes to colonise on the plastic product and begin digesting the smaller polymer compounds.

Learn more about the full biodegration process here

• The biodegradation rate depends on the biologically-active landfills and according to the type of plastic used, the product configuration, temperature and moisture levels of the landfill.

Netflix has recently produced a documentary regarding the global plastics crisis. It is stated that under 20% of the worlds plastics are not recycled and end up in landfills or the ocean.

Biodegradable Future is a major distributor of organic additives that make all plastic and polymer based produces Biodegrade at a rapid rate into biomes, once reaching microbial rich environments like landfills and oceans.

Biodegradable Future provides and excellent opportunity for companies that are looking to have a more sustainable footprint and compliment the global fight for a more sustainable footprint.

Recycling remains the optimal form of brand sustainability however over 80% of products are not recycled therefore ending up in landfills or the ocean. Biodegradable Future additives offer brands an insurance policy against their products that escape the recycling stream.

Click here to review the documentary:

https://www.netflix.com/watch/81187209?trackId=200257858

For more information contact

Dean Lynch

President

Biodegradable Future

1 858 480 7473

011 27 76 982 5253

dean@biodegradablefuture.com

www.BiodegradableFuture.com