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Swedish Bioplastics company Gaia Biomaterials has completed the development of a new and revolutionary compostable drinking straw material. The new material is stable, rigid, and heat resistant and allows for the manufacture of sustainable straws for all types of drinks. GAIA startpage Compostable drinking straws that don’t taste of paper Swedish Bioplastics company Gaia Biomaterials has completed the development of a new and revolutionary compostable drinking straw material. The new material is stable, rigid, and heat resistant and allows for the manufacture of sustainable straws for all types of drinks. The new material is a grade of the company's limestone based Biodolomer material. Biodolomer does not leave any microplastics and is certified compostable by BPI in the USA as well as European certification bodies. The new grade has been developed with hot drinks, such as Irish Coffee and hot chocolate, in mind. It can handle temperatures over 80ºC without any substantial loss in rigidity and stability. Several tests have been conducted with drinking straw manufacturers in Europe and the USA, and the results were so promising that the first full-scale production runs will take place in late May. The material works well in the machines, and the properties are according to expectations. “Drinking straws have been an issue for many”, says Gaia Biomaterials CEO Peter Stenström. “According to many consumers, the degradable alternatives have simply not been good enough.” “But soon you’ll be able to use straws again. With a clean conscience and without a distinct aftertaste of paper…” Published date 15 juli 2024 Category Press release

Ghost nets lost from fishing boats become deadly traps for marine wildlife, persisting for centuries. Now a South African/Swedish joint venture aims at ending the problem with compostable fishing nets. GAIA startpage Compostable fishing nets: An end to Ghost Nets in the oceans? Fishing nets lost at sea are a major source of plastic pollution in the ocean . These so-called "ghost nets" drift globally, ensnaring and killing fish, dolphins, seals, birds, and sea turtles. They can last up to 600 years, releasing microplastics as they slowly degrade. Now South African initiative Catchgreen, is developing a solution. By creating nets and other gear from compostable Biodolomer, a net lost at sea would degrade into biomass within a few years. They also have a higher density so they will sink to the bottom of the ocean where they cause less harm and are subject to microbes that speed up decomposing. – Biodolomer nets will not only reduce ghost fishing,” says Emma Algotsson, project lead at Catchgreen and CEO of Kompost-It. “It will reduce the amount of micro plastics in the ocean. And old nets can be disposed of at industrial composting facilities and turned into biomass. Biodolomer was invented by packaging material legend Åke Rosén who has been instrumental in developing many materials for Tetra Pak and has over 65 patents to his name. It is produced and marketed by Gaia Biomaterials in Sweden since 2015 and is being used for everything from grocery bags to beer cups and agricultural cover films. “It is a material that has all the characteristics of plastic that a user wants – but is compostable, says Peter Stenström, CEO of Gaia Biomaterials AB . “Industries from all over the world are finding new uses for it. And we develop custom versions regularly. By changing the composition we can for example change elasticity and how long it will take for the end product to decompose. Unlike some bioplastics Biodolomer does not shed any microplastics and use a very limited amount of natural resources. In most Biodolomer products Limestone is a key ingredient. “Limestone is one of the most common minerals on the planet,” Stenström notes. “And when Biodolomer decomposes it becomes water, CO2, and soil enriched with calcium carbonate." Developing compostable fishing nets has been challenging. Emma and Gaia Biomaterials' team have dedicated years to creating a suitable substrate for the threads used in larger nets, collaborating closely with South African net producers. “In 2023 we conducted real-world tests of gillnets in Kenyan waters. We are also working on biodegradable ropes and nets for coral restoration, seaweed, and kelp harvesting. The ultimate goal is to trial the material for trawl nets. Catchgreen is in part financed by The Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme under the UK Government. SMEP is implemented in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Catchgreen fishing nets are set to hit the market in 2024. For more information visit www.catchgreen.net Catchgreen – South Africa Emma Algotsson, Project Lead Emma@compost-it.co.za +27 82 822 8415 Published date 20 dec. 2023 Category News

Step-by-step guide for how to use Biodolomer® F bioplastic resin in a film-blowing process. Film-Blowing GAIA startpage Film-Blowing Film blowing guide (also available on Youtube ) This guide is designed for companies not accustomed to producing with biodegradable biomaterials like Biodolomer®. Companies experienced in using other biodegradable biomaterials may find some or all of the steps included a bit repetitive. The guide uses an LDPE film-blowing machine, but HDPE film-blowing machines can also be utilized, provided that the air-cooling ring can be adjusted to accommodate the differences in material properties. The maximum residual time is 60 minutes at 170 °C. If the residual time has been exceeded, lower the temperature to 100 °C, let it stabilize for 60 minutes, and then slowly increase the temperature back to working temperature. The typical blow-up ratios of Biodolomer® are between 1:2.5 and 1:3. Technical center - Previous step Next step / Start the machine using your standard PE grade. Use the same temperature settings as you normally would for PE. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Mulch film for farming risks polluting the soil as it is not always collected afterward. Using compostable Biodolomer biomaterial, waste, and CO2 emissions are drastically reduced without compromising functionality. They will also biodegrade and disappear without leaving any microplastics in nature. Mulch film GAIA startpage Mulch film Mulch film is used in very large quantities by farmers all over the world. Even if the goal is to recycle it, a lot will find its way into nature. Blown away, or just dumped at landfills, By using mulch film made of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial, waste, and CO2 emissions are drastically reduced. While still achieving precisely the same function. And any film that accidentally finds itself in nature will decompose and disappear. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

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Biodolomer® T 900494 GAIA startpage 900494 Biodolomer® T 900494 is a biodegradable biomaterial developed for the thermoforming process, and to withstand high temperatures. Biodolomer® T 900494 is a high mineral-filled grade, microwave safe according to EN 15284:2007 and offers composting at ambient temperatures. It is certified compostable according to EN 13432:2000. Biodolomer® T exhibits the following properties: Medium strength and stiffness Low melt strength: MFI (190 °C, 2.16 kg): 0.5 g Good processability on conventional sheet extrusion lines up to 200 °C Printable without corona treatment Microwave safe according to EN 15284:2007 Compostable according to EN 13432:2000 up to 1 mm. Compostable at ambient temperatures up to 0,5 mm (ready in Q4 2023). Trials are always recommended to assess the quality of the final product. Property Unit Test method Grade 900494 Typical Basic Material properties of grade 900494 Certification of Compostability and Biodegrade Biodolomer® T fulfills the requirements of the existing standards for compostable and biodegradable polymers because it can be degraded by microorganisms. The biodegradation process in soil depends on the specific environment (climate, soil quality, population of microorganisms). Food Regulatory Status Biodolomer® T is one of the few compostable polymers, that complies in its composition with the European foodstuff legislation for food contact, EU Directive 10 / 2011 / EC with amendment 2023/1442. Specific limitations and more details are given on request. The converter or packer has to check the suitability of the article for the application. Form supplied and Storage Biodolomer® T is supplied as lenticular pellets in big bags. Temperatures during transportation and storage may not exceed 60 °C at any time. Storage time of unopened bags may not surpass 12 months at room temperature (23 °C). Applications Biodolomer® T has been developed for the conversion to extruded films from 0.3 - 8 mm thickness using a sheet extrusion process with subsequent thermo-forming operation. Typical applications are packaging film/sheets for trays, boards, and other thermoformed containers or articles. In view of numerous factors influencing the functionality and shelf life of Biodolomer® films and finished articles made thereof, the production parameters have to be tested by the converters before utilization. Note The information submitted in this document is based on our current knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing and application, these data do not relieve processors of the responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do they imply any legally binding assurance for a special purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed. Datasheet updated 2024-06-12 9:30 (supersedes all previous editions) Download as PDF

Food waste bags made from Compostable Biodolomer biomaterial offer a more hygienic and liquid-proof alternative to bags made of paper. And just like paper bags, they can be composted with their content. The material looks and feels like plastic but isn’t. Food waste bags GAIA startpage Food waste bags Food recycling is becoming bigger and bigger. However, using paper for food waste bags is not optimal as they are not liquid-proof proof and hygiene becomes an issue. By making the bags out of Biodolomer® biomaterial you get a liquid-proof solution that can be composted along with its contents. One that looks and feels like plastic but isn’t. Contact us

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