Biodegradable plastics business Polymateria and Enviro-Point, which offers sustainable solutions to the material in aviation, have deepened their partnership in an effort to cut plastic waste in global travel retail.

Both companies spoke to Michael Barrett, Head of Events & CSR at TRBusiness, as part of an exclusive standalone session twinning with TR Sustainability Week (click below to watch the video recording).

Polymateria is a pioneer in biotransformation, inventing a material that results in the full biological conversion of polyolefins.

According to Polymateria’s Western Europe and Latin America Head of Sales Ilia Bilbie Georgescu, 25% of all plastic produced is for packaging.

Only 14% of that, she continued – citing Ellen MacArthur Foundation data – is recycled. 

“Nearly one third of all plastic we use escapes into nature,” she detailed, outlining the scale of the problem.  

Polymateria and Enviro-Point: STEBs solutions

“With 80% of plastic in the ocean flowing from land, ocean plastic pollution is one of the greatest environmental problems of our time.”

The plastic packaging material from Polymateria breaks down into natural wax, and will fully bio-degrade within two years. The material costs around 10% more than standard plastic. 

Applications span cups for events, as well as packaging for fashion and accessories, beauty and some drinks products, as well as plastic bags. 

This extends to STEBs bags – such as those offered by Enviro-Point – as well as luggage wrap. Gatwick has adopted the plastic for its security needs. 

Graeme Stewart, Enviro-Point CEO, said there is a growing appetite within the industry to adopt the revolutionary material. 

“We’re in discussions with so many duty free operators about the supply of the STEBs, carrier bags, [and] with luggage wrap operators… with the currency exchange companies for their money wallets, the airports on the food and beverage side,” he explained.

“Really, it’s to try and get as many different departments and sectors of the travel retail industry involved.”

The time is now, added Georgescu. “Consumers are ready for change. But  global brands play a key role in taking this technology to scale.”

Watch the full conversation to learn more about the Polymateria and Enviro-Point collaboration and the DF&TR solutions above.