Bio-Based Plastics

'Biotic' is a Dutch scientific lab startup aiming to drastically reduce the world's use of single-use plastics by creating biodegradable bioplastics out of macroalgae. The startup extracts specific ingredients from macroalgae and combines this with saline water and a proprietary method to create a non-toxic, carbon-absorbent bioplastic that is fully biodegradable.

The resulting products are bio-based PHBV polymers available in both flake and pellet form factors. These are malleable, workable materials that could significantly reduce the rate of single-use plastics consumption if widely adopted. When speaking on the challenge of reducing plastics consumption, Mark Durno, an investor in Biotic and managing partner for AgriFood at Rockstart, stated: “[Biotic] demonstrated that they understand the complexity of this challenge and the need for solutions that can fit our current manufacturing and user requirements.”

Image Credit: Biotic