BIOME: Bioplastic Injection-moulding Optimisation and Microplastics Evaluation

Plastic pollution poses a global challenge, with around 14 million tonnes entering the ocean and 90 million pieces of plastic waste reaching UK landfills each year. Although biodegradable polymers exist, they remain prohibitively expensive and are not produced at scales sufficient to meet market demands. As a result, industries reliant on large volumes of plastic find it nearly impossible to transition away from traditional materials. By combining industrial biotechnology with large-scale manufacturing, it is possible to create synthetic biological additives that can be embedded into plastics, lie dormant, and then selectively break down the material only once it enters specific environments, such as seawater or landfill. This strategy offers a cost-effective, scalable solution to curbing the environmental impact of current plastics, all while preserving the benefits that make plastic so essential in our modern world.

E.V.A Biosystems is pioneering the development of biological additives to meet this need, and their recent achievements have garnered significant attention across both industry and public spheres. Their breakthrough technology has been highlighted in a variety of media outlets - from specialised industry publications like Packaging News and FoodBev Media to more general-interest platforms such as Insider and The Sunday Express. Major corporations have also expressed direct interest in incorporating E.V.A's technology into their packaging, creating a substantial opportunity to bolster Scotland's bioeconomy and combat plastic pollution simultaneously.

Before this technology can be commercialised, it must be adapted to industrial manufacturing methods, and data must be gathered on its degradation products and potential microplastic formation. This project - Bioplastic Injection-Moulding Optimisation and Microplastic Evaluation (BIOME) - led by E.V.A in collaboration with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) builds on previous advancements...