Sustainable plastics
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Creating packaging from forestry waste.
How an ‘old’ technology creates earth-friendly plastics
The Opportunity
The global challenge of single-use plastics continues to escalate, with 430 million tons produced annually. As regulatory pressures and consumer demand for sustainable solutions intensify, Bioform stands at the forefront of the shift toward a plastic-free world. Their innovative biobased materials not only reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional plastics but also match their performance, processing speed, and cost-effectiveness.
The Challenge
Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics are urgently needed but are often expensive and difficult to produce in large quantities. Bioform addresses this issue by repurposing existing pulp machinery to create biobased materials that mimic the functionality of plastics. These new materials are compostable or recyclable with paper, offering a more eco-friendly option. Their technology is designed to be both cost-effective and high-performing, achieving parity with traditional plastics. This approach helps overcome the economic and technical barriers to scaling sustainable solutions.
It’s so cliché but it really does take a village to support a high-tech starup like ours. NPC has been a huge part of our support system, and took the time to really get to know our technology and business model to help us make it the best it could be.
NPC’s Solution
NPC provided Bioform with $75,000 to help them hire a key addition to their team. The new colloidal chemist addressed critical elements of the surface quality of their plastics to ensure they could meet the moisture barrier requirements of various industries. The resulting data informed key technical and design specifications, bringing them closer to production capacities needed for industry. Their progress attracted the interest of a key corporate investor from the pulp and paper industry, Suzano Ventures.
NPC is committed to the creation of natural products that are better for people, animals and the planet. We propel early-stage Canadian innovators with the advice, connections and capital they need to develop and de-risk their solutions quickly and efficiently.
Bioform Solutions
Description:
Sector(s):
Packaging, Apparel, BiomaterialsFunding Type:
Access to TalentProvince:
British ColumbiaFunding Amount:
$75,000
Year of Funding:
2022Name:
Jordan MacKenzie