Natural biodegradable resin launched for plastics industry

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.

Laurier said that customers would need to add a 25 per cent ratio of NbR to its PE or PP products, and that a product made with NbR can be recycled and made with recyclate. The resin is also said to offer improved post-mould shrinkage and barrier properties.

Any product made with NbR will also degrade within months if discarded as litter.

Laurier said: “NbR contains a package of catalysts and stabilisers to give the product a shelf and service life. It is intended to be used, recycled, and disposed of in the same way as regular plastic but the molecular weight of the polymer will reduce at end of life so that naturally occurring microbes can consume it.

He continued: “It needs no special environmental conditions – only access to oxygen. When the polymer degrades the minerals return to nature.”

The global resin market size for which NbR is suitable was valued at $556bn in 2023 and is projected to grow to £859.27bn by 2032, at a CAGR of five per cent.

The growth in packaging for pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, consumer goods, and e-commerce has created strong demand in the polymer resin market. Simultaneously, consumer requirements, legislative changes, and sustainability trends have increased demand for products such as NbR. Symphony Environmental said NbR has been developed to address this requirement.

“We have devoted the past 25 years and many millions of dollars to developing a wide range of environmentally friendly polymer products in addition to NbR,” said Laurier.

NbR technology is consistent with EU and FDA-USA Packaging Food Contact Regulations, and products are tested for biodegradability and non-toxicity according to international Standards.