Public Funding for PVOH Polymers Limited

"Our vision is to develop self removing packaging to perform a secondary cleaning function during its removal from the traditional waste stream thus encouraging customer engagement of this technology. This project is aimed at the detergent sector, multilayer barrier films are currently used to protect highly sensitive water soluble films, these multilayer barrier films contain mixed polymers therefore these are difficult to recycle being recycling class 7 ""other"". Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) is a water soluble nontoxic biodegradable polymer which conforms to CEN 13432\. In its film and injection moulded format it is predominantly used for detergent and Agrichemical dosing, where the polymer dissolves in water to release the active components. Being Hygroscopic it is susceptible to atmospheric moisture uptake in conditions over 50RH. Therefore, expensive protective packaging is required to maintain its physical properties, this is important to maintain child safety regulations when caustic detergents are encapsulated. Our first key objective is to to design and develop a new detergent format which eliminates the requirement for secondary barrier packaging by the substitution of cast PVOH film with a new less hygroscopic PVOH formulation suitable for injection moulding. Formulation will need to be developed surrounding capsule strength for child safety and product release with no residue observed during a short eco wash cycle and be resistant to atmospheric moisture. Our second key innovative objective is to develop secondary packaging to protect the primary packaged product against atmospheric moisture in the form of a water soluble container to be dissolved when empty in a dishwasher. This container will contain a cleaning agent to be released during dissolution, adding function to the polymer which will either be encapsulated in the polymer or in a self contained tamper proof compartment within the packaging. Polymer products entering water courses has been recently highlighted by Sir David Attenborough (Blue Planet and A Plastic Ocean). PVOH is quickly biodegraded in the natural environment and will not form microbeads or plastic residue causing hazards to wildlife."

"Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) is a water soluble non toxic biodegradable polymer which conforms to European composting and biodegradability standards. In its film and injection moulded format it is mainly used for detergent and agrichemical dosing, where the polymer dissolves in water to release the active components. Being hygroscopic it is susceptible to atmospheric moisture uptake in conditions over 50% relative humidity. Therefore, expensive protective packaging is required to maintain its physical properties, this is important to maintain child safety regulations when caustic detergents are encapsulated. Due to the hygroscopic nature of PVOH, at present it is not suitable to replace traditional polymers. If a solution could be found to delay moisture uptake then new opportunities would arise for this polymer. The addition of a temporary/ semi permanent hydrophobic barrier to PVOH products is highly innovative and would permit the reduction of protective packaging, ease of recycling of complex multilayer containers/ films, and open up new markets for PVOH to replace traditional polymers. New markets would include single use products (medical) where products are in contact with water during use and when recycling is impracticable or unsafe to do so (Contamination of bodily fluids). In addition to laundry applications there are also opportunities in other unit dose cleaning applications including machine dish wash, automotive, jet wash and other specialist home cleaning applications accessible either through existing brand owners or bespoke new entrants Polymer products entering water courses has been recently highlighted by Sir David Attenborough ( Blue Planet and A Plastic Ocean). PVOH is quickly biodegraded in the natural environment and will not form microbeads or plastic residue to cause hazards to wildlife."

"a) Project aim Wound infections can prevent healing and lead to sepsis if untreated. Caring for patients with possible wound infections is expensive. We aim to test our ground-breaking infection-detecting dressing which _changes colour if a wound is becoming infected._ Effective in the laboratory, and successfully tested in an off-patient clinical study, the dressing must be tested on patients. Manufactured under controlled conditions to allow testing on consenting burn patients, the study must show that the wound dressing is safe, the added technology does not interfere with how the dressing works, and that the dressing can detect if the wound is infected or not. b) Research Background The dressing, developed over 8 years at the University of Bath, glows bright green when dangerous bacteria begin to cause harm. It will help NHS staff understand when a wound _is_ or _is not_ infected. Infection can delay healing, cause pain, increase scarring and lengthen hospital stay. However, we currently cannot immediately diagnose wound infection. Doctors therefore need to assume infection and treat, often unnecessarily, by removing dressings and using antibiotics, increasing bacterial resistance, costing money and affecting patient outcomes and quality of life. c) Production of the dressing Will be a partnership between PVOH and the University of Bath, but with final dressing assembly and distribution via the multi-national healthcare products manufacturer, Paul Hartmann AG (http://www.hartmann.info) d) Usage of the dressing The dressing will be used at the first routine change of dressings, two days after injury, and will stay until the following dressing change, three to five days later. We will compare the dressing response to the presence of wound infection. The dressing should _not_ change colour with _no_ infection and _should_ change colour if there _is_ infection. Infection will be determined by senior burn doctors - unaware of the dressing colour."

This project aims to deliver step-change developments in the formulation and manufacturing capability of complex biodegradable and water soluble plastic components that will transform existing supply chains in terms of resource efficiency and environmental impact. This break-through will deliver novel active-self-packaging materials with controlled and tailored release for the laundry goods sector (enhanced effectiveness single dose products), and in-container controlled release of additives for paint / coatings sector (enhanced shelf-life products). In the first instance, this project will seek to deliver resource efficiency in two sectors: in the laundry product supply chain, using decentralized manufacture of unit dose products to reduce road transport, enable the elimination of detergent builders and encourage the implementation of low temperature wash additives through novel active-self-packaging formulations and products; and in the paints / coatings sector, delivering material savings through reduction in additive dosing and through enhanced shelf-life of products.

This project aims to deliver step-change developments in material composition and manufacturing capability of complex biodegradable and water soluble plastic components that will transform existing supply chains in terms of resource efficiency and environmental impact. This break-through of novel active-self-packaging materials technology will potentially enable decentralization of manufacturing capability in a range of industrial sectors, a supply chain innovation that TSB funding has already demonstrated to yield substantial reductions in environmental impacts, including road transport and associated emissions. In the first instance this project will seek to deliver resource efficiency in the laundry product supply chain, using decentralized manufacture of unit dose products to reduce road transport, enable the elimination of detergent builders and encourage the implementation of low temperature wash additives through novel active-self-packaging materials.

Fish are currently caught and used as bait to catch potted quarry such as lobster, crabs and whelks. This study will address the feasibility of using highly innovative biodegradable and water soluble polymers to encapsulate alterative bait for the commercial shellfish industry. If feasible, it will enable the recycling of fish offal and frames from fish processing plants to substitute and conserve fish stocks. This bait will be presented in an innovative format that will offer a cost effective alternative. This study will investigate the feasibility to reduce operating costs relating to bait storage, boat fuel, extending the pot fishing interval and bait unit cost. The project will study the environmental risks of using such products, regional and local supply and distribution and potential market acceptance. The study will also address the polymer formulation requirements, design and cost implications of using innovative biodegradable water soluble polymer containers as release mechanisms.

This project aims to deliver step-change developments in material composition and manufacturing capability of complex biodegradable and water soluble plastic components that will transform existing supply chains in terms of resource efficiency and environmental impact. This break-through in injection moulding technology will potentially enable decentralisation of manufacturing capability in a range of industrial sectors, a supply chain innovation that TSB funding has already demonstrated to yield substantial reductions in environmental impacts, including road transport and associated emissions. In the first instance this project will seek to deliver resource efficiency in the laundry product supply chain, using decentralised manufacture of unit dose products to reduce road transport, enable the elimination of detergent builders and encourage the implementation of low temperature wash additives through controlled-release unit dose delivery mechanisms.

Ghost fishing is the term used for lost or abandoned fishing gear that continues to catch fish. It is environmentally detrimental and the fish caught is wasted. The issue of "ghost fishing" was first brought to the attention of world at the 16th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Committee (FAO) on Fisheries. PVOH Polymers Ltd, a developer and supplier of highly innovative water soluble polymers, apply to investigate this proof of market study. We will ascertain the financial and practicable feasibility of the introduction of a water soluble escape mechanism to release fish and crustaceans if caught in lost lobster and crab pots. Patent searches show the use of a water soluble polymer developed to break down over a period of months used as a pot release mechanism to be highly innovative. During this study we will canvas manufacturers of lobster and fish pots to discuss pot design and retrofit ideas. We will liaise with the SWWFC and their fishermen members to collate information regarding to the optimum service life of the release mechanism and the time required for the periodic replacement of the device. Working with Cefas we will gauge the possibility of supportive legislation to adopt this type technology. The completed study will form a report that will cover: Market acceptance Retrofits Pot designs Cost implications Time and motions to replace Legislation Polymer degradation time scale Intellectual property search and protection With this information we will be in a position to commence polymer development and prototype design. As well as the detrimental effects of Ghost Fishing on the environment, the financial impact is also damaging. The UK has a crab and lobster fisheries industry estimated at a worth in excess of £21m. The FOA estimate a potential loss of 7% of total landings due to ghost fishing, this represents a loss of £1,470,000 per annum to the UK economy.