Breaking free from plastic with waste pulp packaging

The new bioplastic cuts production emissions by 80 per cent

Spotted: It’s estimated that around eight million tonnes of plastic waste already enter our oceans every year and plastic production is only set to rise. To protect ecosystems from this pollution, innovators are developing a range of plastic alternatives. Enter Bioform. 

The Canadian startup has created a patented low-energy production process that creates packaging materials from waste pulp fibre. The resulting hydrogel film is resistant to water vapour and oxygen and reduces carbon emissions by 80 per cent compared to traditional plastic produced at commercial scale. Containing no fossil fuel inputs, the final products can be recycled or composted at home. 

The versatile material can be used to create packaging films, pouches, bags, or turned into solid shapes like cups and containers. According to the company, its products can be made using existing manufacturing processes used in the pulp and paper industries. 

Bioform has just received an investment of $5 million (around €4.6 million) from Suzano Ventures, which will help it scale production efficiencies and more quickly bring its costs down.

Springwise has spotted other ways innovators are tackling our plastic problem, including by turning the waste into useful chemicals and a paper wrap that can replace existing plastic alternatives.

Written By: Lauryn Berry and Matilda Cox