Natural biodegradable resin launched for plastics industry
The fossil-derived content of plastic products could be reduced by 20 per cent with NbR, a biodegradable resin developed by Symphony Environmental.
The Herts-based company said NbR is made with natural minerals to reduce the amount of fossil-derived polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) used by plastics manufacturers. NbR has also been formulated to biodegrade safely without fragmenting into microplastics.
Described by company CEO Michael Laurier as a ‘major innovation’, NbR can be used by plastics manufacturers with little or no extra cost.
“It will be a seamless transition,” he said. “It requires no modification of machinery or retraining of the workforce and does not disrupt supply chains. It will significantly reduce the fossil content of PE or PP products.”
NbR comprises 20 per cent non-fossil natural compounds and is suitable for making a wide variety of packaging, carrier bags, refuge bags, certain types of bottles, and agricultural films.
The composition of NbR is ‘a trade secret’ and Symphony will not seek to patent the resin to protect the confidentiality of its formulations. The company added that trademarks are being applied for.
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