Innovative solutions in bioplastics are driving the sustainable revolution, and Biome Bioplastics is leading the charge. With the support of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), this UK-based company is making significant strides in developing fully compostable bioplastics that rival conventional plastics. By advancing metrology techniques, NPL has provided critical insights that enhance product quality and performance, paving the way for more sustainable alternatives in packaging and agriculture.
Biome Bioplastics is on a mission to replace fossil-based polymers with high-performing, home-compostable alternatives. Their latest technology allows bioplastics to break down at significantly lower temperatures than industry standards, offering consumers a practical and environmentally friendly disposal method. However, the complexity of composting environments presented challenges in fully understanding the disintegration behaviour of their materials. To address this, Biome required advanced analytical expertise to investigate material properties and refine quality control processes.
Through the Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators Programme, NPL leveraged its expertise in surface technology and advanced engineering materials to analyse the physical and chemical properties of Biome’s bioplastics. Using cutting-edge thermal, morphological, topological, chemical, and gas physisorption analyses, NPL examined different polymer forms and conditions to establish correlations between material properties and disintegration performance. Key characteristics, such as porosity and crystallinity, were identified as crucial factors influencing product decomposition.
This breakthrough enabled the development of rapid, cost-effective, and quantitative methods to monitor key process parameters, ensuring consistent product quality and reproducibility. The findings not only strengthen Biome’s existing product range but also open doors for further innovation, bringing scalable and commercially viable biomaterials to market. Given that traditional disintegration tests are costly and time-consuming, these insights may also lead to new analytical tools capable of predicting end-of-life performance, accelerating industry advancements.
The collaboration between NPL and Biome continues to drive sustainability in plastics manufacturing. By investigating the impact of production processes on product performance, they are refining techniques that enhance lifecycle sustainability. These developments mark a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and revolutionising the industry with high-performance, eco-friendly alternatives.
Biome Technologies plc (LON:BIOM) is a growth oriented, commercially driven technology group. The Group’s primary activity is the development of its fast growing business in bioplastics. The Group comprises two divisions: Biome Bioplastics and Stanelco RF Technologies.
