To develop masterbatches for the safe biodegradation of novel, recyclable, mono-material-based barrier films for packaging applications.

"Each year, 400M tonnes of plastic is produced of which 40% is single-use plastic that is either sent to landfill as waste, incinerated or enters the environment. Despite initiatives such as plastic bag taxes and proposed measures to reduce use and increase collection/recycling, more than 30% of the world's plastic still escapes collection systems and can end up in waterways, eventually damaging marine life, ecosystems and human health. Heightened awareness of this waste problem and its environmental impact is driving growth in the biodegradable polymer market. Additive-based biodegradable plastic retains the physical characteristics of conventional plastic throughout a product's usable life, after which the additive accelerates the plastic biodegradation, transforming it entirely into carbon dioxide, water and biomass, thus protecting the environment from the accumulation of plastic waste. This acts as an ""insurance policy"" when collection/recycling strategies fail. Current additives are only available for polyolefins (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP)) as a one size fits all solution. Independent testing has proven these to be ineffective, where plastics do not fully degrade, leaving harmful fragments (microplastics) with the entire process of biodegradation requiring timescales often (far) in excess of those claimed by manufacturers. In addition, and despite the fact that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the third most commonly used plastic (18.83M tonnes produced p.a.), there is currently no commercially viable biodegradability converter technology for PET. To address this need, Polymateria aim to develop a portfolio of superior drop-in additives for the manufacture of biodegradable, recyclable, customisable and cost-effective plastic products. In collaboration with depolymerisation experts at the University of St Andrews, this project aims to develop the first additive-based biodegradable transforming technology for PET packaging and disposables, offering the breakthrough technology that the plastic packaging and consumer goods sector is aiming for. Both partners are well placed to exploit this opportunity; Polymateria has already commercialised bespoke additives for PP and PE, and St Andrews has expertise in the depolymerisation of PET.. Key PET packaging manufacturers have already expressed a keen interest in co-developing the solution once a viable additive formulation has been developed. With support from Innovate UK, a 3-year programme of industrial research is required to develop the formulation and test the associated biodegradation performance and safety. Success will facilitate a co-development deal with plastic/packaging manufacturers for final development and commercialisation by 2022, helping to establish Polymateria at the forefront of the biodegradable additives for plastics market poised for significant growth."

"A throwaway society has spread plastic packaging waste worldwide, polluting every corner of our planet. Each year \>200M tonnes of plastic is produced for 'single-use' with 35% of that sent to recycling rejected due to 'contamination' by remnants of unconsumed food or liquid. Astonishingly, less than 10% of plastic ends up being recycled. Public awareness of on-the-go food packaging waste has increased significantly following the recent ""Latte Levy"" promoting scientific research/interest into compostable plastic. A key focus of this research has been on additive-based compostable plastic which seeks to retain physical characteristics of conventional plastic throughout its useful life whilst offering accelerated composting under industrial composting conditions, transforming entirely to CO2, water and biomass. This provides alternative capture carbon, as food contamination is inevitable, protecting the environment from accumulating plastic waste. However, current compostable plastic solutions are predominantly biobased/hydro-biodegradable plastics which increase land competition(limited feedstock), are \>6x more expensive and require different manufacturing infrastructure compared to petroleum-based plastics. Current best-in-class additives for polyolefins (polyethylene(PE), polypropylene(PP)) which offer accelerated biodegradation in the open environment require a minimum of 2-years with no solution available to achieve the same within 6-months under industrial composting conditions -- and therefore marketed as compostable. Addressing this gap, Polymateria aim to develop a portfolio of advanced drop-in additive formulations for the manufacture of compostable, biodegradable, cost-effective plastics. In collaboration with ecotoxicology testing experts at Chemex, this project aims to develop the first additive-based biotransforming technology for compostable PP packaging, which will be tested and certified at Chemex's facilities, as the first UK SME with capabilities to meet EN13432 Standard. This will offer a breakthrough technology for the plastic packaging sector, simultaneously providing unique expertise to the UK in compostability testing. Both partners are well placed to exploit this opportunity: Polymateria has already commercialised bespoke biotransforming formulations for PP&PE in the open environment, and Chemex have state-of-the-art testing equipment and experts in terrestrial & aquatic ecotoxicology testing. With InnovateUK support, a 2-year programme of industrial research is required to design and test formulations for physiochemical polymer properties and compostability. Project success will support a co-development deal with PP Converters with commercialisation by 2022, to establish: - Polymateria at the forefront of compostable additives for a plastics market, poised for significant growth and - Chemex as the only UK testing laboratory capable of specific accredited composting testing, alongside their entire ecotoxology testing suite, plus terrestrial and aquatic biodegradation testing."