Making snuff jars out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial instead of plastics will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions without compromising function. They will also biodegrade without leaving any microplastics rather than adding to the garbage mountains and ocean pollution. GAIA startpage Snuff jars Snuff jars Snuff jars are sold in 100’s of millions and can be made out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial instead of plastic. The function and production method are the same, but waste, energy use, and CO2 emissions are drastically reduced. And the real benefit is that instead of a plastic product that can add to garbage mountains, and ocean pollution, you get a product that will biodegrade and disappear by itself. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

Plastic drinking straws are not always disposed of correctly. Drinking straws made from compostable Biodolomer biomaterial drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions without compromising functionality. If accidentally left in nature, they biodegrade without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Drinking straws Drinking straws Disposable drinking straws are a big source of pollution. They create a lot of waste and use a lot of resources. And if they find themselves in the wrong place, they will stay in nature for a very long time. By making straws out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial, you drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. While still achieving precisely the same function. And a straw that accidentally finds itself in nature will biodegrade and disappear. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

GAIA startpage Home Property Unit Test method Grade 900470 Typical Basic Material properties of grade 900470 Certification of Compostability and Biodegrade Food Regulatory Status Form supplied and Storage Applications Note Datasheet updated 2023-06-28 10:0 (supersedes all previous editions) Download as PDF Testing Data sheet 2

Sports should be about caring. Not tearing.Sports and recreation are vital to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, it also produces waste that does the very opposite. One example is artificial grass, especially the granules that provide the infill on sports field surfaces that need to be constantly refilled.  GAIA startpage Sports and Recreation Biodolomer® I 900362 Biodolomer® I 900362 is an injection molding grade for for soft, flexible applications. See grade Materials Under Development GAIA is currently developing several different materials for various applications. See grade Biodolomer® I 900236 Biodolomer® I 900236 is a biodegradable biomaterial developed for the injection molding process. See grade Load more All sports and recreation Featured sports and recreation grades Sports should be about caring. Not tearing. Sports and recreation are vital to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, it also produces waste that does the very opposite. One example is artificial turf, especially the granules that provide the infill on sports field surfaces that need to be constantly refilled. By shifting from granules made from rubber from recycled tires to granules made out of Biodolomer ® the environmental footprint can be drastically reduced. And granules are just one example. Biodolomer ® is a fully compostable material that contains calcium carbonate. Not only does it not create plastic waste that lives forever. It contributes to earth’s natural fertility. Leaving no microplastics and resulting in some 80 % lower CO2 emissions. Biodolomer ® can be used in various production techniques, including film blowing, bottle blowing, thermoforming, injection, and extrusion coating. Here are some sports and recreation products that can be produced using Bidolomer ® : Shotgun wads See product Golf tees See product Drinking bottles See product Infill for artificial turf See product Toys See product Load more Sports and Recreation

As a leading developer of biodegradable and compostable biomaterials, GAIA has monitored the challenges associated with the mulch film market for a long time. Knowing fully well that the development of a challenging new product is a marathon, rather than a sprint, GAIA has worked methodically to bridge the hurdles associated with mulch film materials before entering the final development phase. GAIA startpage GAIA BIOMATERIALS SETS ITS SIGHTS ON THE MULCH FILM MARKET GAIA BIOMATERIALS SETS ITS SIGHTS ON THE MULCH FILM MARKET Mulch films are a crucial part of modern agricultural practices, with an estimated market value of USD3,5 Bn in 2020. But new findings suggest that mulch films contribute to the very problems they are meant to tackle, with microplastic pollution, resulting in diminishing returns from the agricultural areals available. As a leading developer of biodegradable and compostable biomaterials, GAIA has monitored the challenges associated with the mulch film market for a long time. Knowing fully well that the development of a challenging new product is a marathon, rather than a sprint, GAIA has worked methodically to bridge the hurdles associated with mulch film materials before entering the final development phase. Photo: Pixabay Mulch films and microplastics – the flip side of the coin It has been long established that microplastics are harmful to people and animals. According to findings presented by Scientists at ETH Zürich, microplastics can harm the soil and vegetation as well, which spells problems for the mulch film industry. In their study, the Scientists observed how high concentrations of microplastics in the soil caused it to repel water, thus creating disturbances in how the water flowed through the soil, resulting in areas with high concentrations of microplastics receiving considerably less water. When using mulch film, high concentrations of microplastics can amass in partial areas, leading to an insufficient water supply to the plants' root systems. In the worst-case scenario, this leads to dry zones where soil cultivation becomes difficult. Building a solid ground by solving the microplastics issue Given the enormous implications associated with microplastics for humans, animals, and plants alike, GAIA had already identified this as one of the most urgent issues for several applications, including mulch films, and had this marked down as a top priority. “Traditionally, compostable biomaterials have included PLA to a larger or smaller extent," explains GAIA BioMaterials’ R&D Manager Konrad Rosén. “PLA is in many ways a fantastic material, which brings stability and strength to end applications, but it also has its drawbacks: The slow biodegradation rate in low temperatures being among the biggest ones. Through a focused R&D effort that spans several different applications, utilizing the competencies and experiences of a cross-discipline team, we found a way to omit PLA from our film grades without compromising on the material properties. The result was a material certified for home composting in thicknesses previously unimaginable.” It also proved to be a breakthrough when it came to solving the problems with microplastics: A study conducted by Scientists at ETH Zürich had previously concluded that materials with the same material composition as Biodolomer® don’t generate any microplastics when dispersed in soil, but are completely biodegraded. The future of mulch film With a growing world population and the demand for increased agricultural returns, the mulch film market is expected to continue to grow, from USD3,5 Bn in 2020 to USD5,1 Bn in 2027. Currently, biodegradable mulch films only constitute a fraction of this, with PLA-free mulch films making up even less. This, however, is projected to change. Given the disturbing findings concerning the effects of microplastics in the soil, fewer and fewer countries and landowners will be willing to risk their future agricultural returns by continuing to use mulch films that will result in microplastic pollution. To retain their current returns, they will have no other option but to use biodegradable mulch film instead that does not generate microplastics. “The potential is huge,” says Peter Stenström, CEO of GAIA BioMaterials. “We’re still at the early stages of development, but given that we have the most important feature of not creating microplastics in place from the get-go, we are confident that we will succeed.” For those interested in learning more, please refer to the following articles: Soil Science of America: A LASTING IMPACT: MICROPLASTICS SETTLING INTO SOIL Vadose Zone Journal: Microplastic induces soil water repellency and limits capillary flow Science Advances: Biodegradation of synthetic polymers in soils: Tracking carbon into CO2 and microbial biomass If you are interested in cooperating with GAIA BioMaterials concerning mulch film, please contact Peter Stenström . Gaia BioMaterials is a Swedish company that develops and produces biodegradable biomaterials. With our patented material, Biodolomer®, we are revolutionizing the plastics industry and contributing to a cleaner and healthier planet. Biodolomer® is inspired by a half-a-billion-year-old packaging design from Mother Earth – the egg. Read more . Copyright © 2023 Gaia Biomaterials AB, All rights reserved. Bunkagårdsgatan 13, Helsingborg, Sverige Published date 12 juli 2023 Category News

GAIA startpage Home Property Unit Test method Grade 900470 Typical Basic Material properties of grade 900470 Certification of Compostability and Biodegrade Food Regulatory Status Form supplied and Storage Applications Note Datasheet updated 2023-06-28 10:0 (supersedes all previous editions) Download as PDF 4 Data sheet 4

Last weekend was the first time a major global sports event used compostable bioplastic beer cups. At the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 150,000 beer cups of compostable Biodolomer, reduced waste, microplastics and CO2 to a minimum. GAIA startpage Compostable beer cups at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Compostable beer cups at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The beer cups, from UK-based Happy Dolphin, are the first ever to be made of compostable Biodolomer. Last weekend’s event was the first where they were used on a big scale. 150,000 cups were supplied to Ethara who are the promotors and organizers of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. "It's a fantastic sign of recognition to have been chosen by such a prestigeous event", says David Hughes of Happy Dolphin. “The cups are very durable and stable and are suitable for printing. They can be collected along with food waste and put straight in an industrial compost. The result will be soil that is very high in minerals.” Biodolomer, devised by Swedish company Gaia Biomaterials, is a bioplastic primarily made from natural minerals and vegetable oils. It comes in granules and can be used in most plastic production methods. It has the same characteristics as plastic – but is compostable, very durable and does not leave any micro plastoc or plastic pollution. Biodolomer is used for everything from grocery bags to cover film for agriculture. It is 100% compostable, CO2 neutral and does not result in any microplastics. "This a fantastic opportunity for us to show the world what our material can do, And that it is possible to totally eliminate plastic waste", says Gaia Biomaterials CEO Peter Stenström. The beer cups used in Abu Dhabi were developed by Happy Dolphin in order to be suitable for major events. They are sturdy, which reduces foaming from beer taps, and can be printed on all sides. Two different measurements are embossed in the cups. “They are extremely robust”, Hughes adds.“We’ve stepped on them, hit them with cricket bats, sat on them and they just wrinkle and can be put back in shape – ready for a refill. The only thing that broke them was when we ran them over with a car." Published date 28 nov. 2023 Category News

GAIA receives US market order for full container of drinking straw materials GAIA startpage GAIA receives US market order for full container of drinking straw materials GAIA receives US market order for full container of drinking straw materials GAIA continues its expansion into the US market and is proud to announce the first full container order for its Biodolomer® compostable bioplastics for drinking straws to sustainable serviceware producer Evanesce. The order is the result of extensive trials and tests at Evanesce and is for 15 tons of Biodolomer® E granules, equivalent to around 7,500.000 drinking straws. The material is certified for industrial composting in thicknesses of up to 1 mm by both BPI in the US and DinCertco in Europe and has received an FDA authorization of safe use of food contact substances. Spearheaded by foresighted companies like Evanesce, the US market for bioplastics is expected to grow rapidly during the coming years, but this growth will not come from out of nothing: "There is a pent-up demand from both consumers and brands for affordable sustainable solutions." Douglas Horne, CEO Evanesce “Environmental regulations and increased consumer awareness will provide the foundation for this new and exciting development, but what will ultimately drive the market is the existence of alternatives that are as good, or better, than what is available today”, says Douglas Horne, CEO of Evanesce. “There is a pent-up demand from both consumers and brands for affordable sustainable solutions, and out of the materials we have tested, Biodolomer® is the only one that has lived up to our quality expectations, while also hitting a price point where we can offer our customers a competitively priced premium product.” “Consumers are starting to recognize that being environmentally conscious does not necessarily mean that you have to give up on the things that you are used to”, adds Niklas Rosenkvist, Sales Manager at GAIA. The ambition from both parties is that this initial order will be the start of a long-standing cooperation between GAIA and Evanesce: “We are excited about our cooperation with GAIA”, continues Douglas Horne. “Not only is the end result fantastic, but the way GAIA’s team has supported us throughout the process is amazing.” ”We are convinced that the combined expertise and experience of GAIA and Evanesce will sway even more companies to choose a solution that allows their customers to enjoy their favourite beverages without being left with a bad aftertaste in their mouth; both literally and figuratively”, concludes Niklas Rosenkvist. Logotype courtesy of Evanesce. Published date 2 okt. 2024 Category Newsletter

One of GAIA’s most exciting R&D projects is the development of biodegradable fishing nets. Fishing nets rank among the most prioritized applications to find a sustainable solution for, with an estimated 640000 tons of fishing gear lost or dumped in the oceans annually, with “ghost fishing” causing tremendous harm to marine life. The ambition is to present a commercially viable offer by 2025. GAIA startpage NET VALUE; HOW GAIA IS WORKING ON SAVING THE OCEANS, ONE FISHING NET AT THE TIME NET VALUE; HOW GAIA IS WORKING ON SAVING THE OCEANS, ONE FISHING NET AT THE TIME - A short update with Konrad Rosén, R&D Manager GAIA BioMaterials One of GAIA’s most exciting R&D projects is the development of biodegradable fishing nets. Fishing nets rank among the most prioritized applications to find a sustainable solution for, with an estimated 640000 tons of fishing gear lost or dumped in the oceans annually, with “ghost fishing” causing tremendous harm to marine life. Together with its partners in the Catchgreen project, GAIA has received funding from FCDO and UK Aid through the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Programme (SMEP) The ambition is to present a commercially viable offer by 2025. Konrad Rosén, R&D Manager GAIA BioMaterials (Photo: GAIA) Question (Q): What makes the development of a compostable and biodegradable fishing net for the fishing industry so challenging? Konrad Rosén (KR): I would say finding the right balance. You need to optimize the mechanical properties of the net, but you also need to ensure that it will biodegrade quickly if lost during fishing. Furthermore, it needs to be as effective as those made from PE and Nylon. If not, the numbers won’t add up for the fishermen. Q: The Catchgreen project has been running for a while now, can you tell us something about the progress you have made so far? KR: The project's first phase has been about developing a biodegradable material that offers similar mechanical properties and making sure that it can be processed in existing machines. We opted for PBS as the base material since PBS displays properties similar to PP, which is a good starting point for the application. After that, work pivoted towards the properties needed – flexibility, salt corrosion resistance, UV-light resistance, etc. It’s like playing three-dimensional chess: Each change in the recipe requires you to consider the trade-offs from several different aspects simultaneously, while constantly checking for unexpected consequences. With the successful completion of the semifinished goods extrusion test, the second phase is now underway, with net production and field tests scheduled in South Africa during the summer. After that, we will adjust the recipe, with new extrusion tests. We expect to initiate a new, larger production and field test during the fall of this year. (Photo: Pixabay) Q: And after that, you’re ready to offer the material commercially? KR: No, lots of steps still remain. The full-scale production test and field test will give us new information and insights that we need to incorporate into the final material. We don’t even know whether the nets will work as intended. We also need to ensure that the material biodegrades under the conditions they are to operate in. We recently started a long-term test for the material's biodegradability in ocean conditions. If it doesn’t biodegrade as planned, we don’t have a credible solution. There is also the development of new materials and additives. We estimate that within the next few years, new materials and additives will be available that will allow us to replicate the mechanical properties of Nylon. You’d be forgiven for thinking that we should wait until then, but the problems facing marine life are here and now, and any delay risks devastating the oceans as we know them. Given this, developing new materials to remedy the problem must be allowed to be a continuous process. For more information on the Catchgreen project, please click here . Gaia BioMaterials is a Swedish company that develops and produces biodegradable biomaterials. With our patented material, Biodolomer®, we are revolutionizing the plastics industry and contributing to a cleaner and healthier planet. Biodolomer® is inspired by a half-a-billion-year-old packaging design from Mother Earth – the egg. Read more . Copyright © 2023 Gaia Biomaterials AB, All rights reserved. Bunkagårdsgatan 13, Helsingborg, Sverige Published date 12 juli 2023 Category News

The Swedish so-called “plastic bag tax” was introduced in 2020 to reduce the use of plastic bags, However - the 3 SEK (Eur 0,30) tex per bag was also imposed on biodegradable bags and more or less instantly killed the entire market for them. The tax will be removed this autumn, but Filip Cronberg, who runs the ICA Kvantum supermarket in the south Swedish town of Klippan, is reintroducing compostable bags already now. – Both the customers and we have missed them, and now we are bringing them back. Even though there will be a few months where they are still taxed… GAIA startpage Merchant Leads the Way in Sweden: Starts with Compostable Grocery Bags Before Tax is Removed Filip Cronberg runs ICA Kvantum in Klippan. Despite the so-called “plastic bag tax” not disappearing until November, he has already started selling compostable grocery bags from Gaia Biomaterials. – We completely stopped using regular plastic bags several years ago and switched to compostable bags from Gaia, says Filip Cronberg. But when the plastic bag tax was introduced, the authorities decided that it would also apply to compostable bags. This was totally insane, but it made us completely switch to paper bags. It has now been decided that the tax will be removed starting November 1. Already today, ICA Kvantum in Klippan has reintroduced compostable carrier bags. – Both the customers and we have missed them, and now we are bringing them back. Even though there will be a few months where they are still taxed, – They are much better than the paper bags. They take up less space, hold much better for heavy goods, and are not moisture-sensitive. You can reuse them at least 10 times. And – they are compostable. The bags are made from Gaia Biomaterials’ material Biodolomer, which is based on limestone. Biodolomer is used for a variety of products as a replacement for plastic and paper and is certified compostable both in the EU and the USA. It does not produce microplastics and, if incinerated, emits up to 80% less CO2 than regular plastic bags. – Our bags removed at least 20 million plastic bags per year from the Swedish market and we completely replaced plastic at many retailers, says Peter Stenström, CEO of Gaia Biomaterials. – But when the plastic bag tax came, we pretty much shut down all production. It’s nice that lawmakers have now come to their senses. And even more fun that Filip and ICA Kvantum in Klippan are leading the way! Published date 10 juni 2024 Category Press release

Disposable hair covers are compulsory in many parts of the food industry and the health sector. And as all disposable plastic products they result in waste and micro plastics. GAIA startpage Hair covers Hair covers Disposable hair covers are compulsory in many parts of the food industry and the health sector. And as all disposable plastic products they result in waste and micro plastics. If they are made by compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial you reduce both waste and CO2 emissions. While they will still have exactly the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature, they will soon biodegrade, leaving no microplastics Contact us

FMCG is an industry that produces lots of waste. Not just in the form of packaging but also all those little “must-haves” we use in our lives. From hair combs to coat hangers.

And even if there are many recycling schemes around, we all see plastic bottles, jars, bags, and various containers in places where they shouldn’t be. And where they will stay for many, many years. Contaminating soil or water with microplastics as they slowly disintegrate. GAIA startpage FMCG Biodolomer® F 900515 Biodolomer® F offers a great down gauging potential for thin film applications like carrier bags, waste bags, etc. See grade Biodolomer® T 900494 Biodolomer® T 900442 is a thermoforming material developed to withstand high temperatures. See grade Biodolomer® I 900236 Biodolomer® I 900236 is a biodegradable biomaterial developed for the injection molding process. See grade Biodolomer® E 900328 Biodolomer® E 900328 is a biomaterial developed for the extrusion of thin tube, pipe and straws. See grade Load more All fmcg Featured fmcg grades Fast-moving consumer goods in a smarter way. FMCG is an industry that produces lots of waste. Not just in the form of packaging but also all those little “must-haves” we use in our lives. From hair combs to coat hangers. And even if there are many recycling schemes around, we all see plastic bottles, jars, bags, and various containers in places where they shouldn’t be. And where they will stay for many, many years. Contaminating soil or water with microplastics as they slowly disintegrate. It’s a shame, and it makes the whole industry a scapegoat. But instead of relying on changing people's behavior, you can change the material you use to Biodolomer ® . Biodolomer® is a fully compostable material that can replace plastic in almost all production methods. From film blowing to injection molding. You can take a shampoo bottle, a grocery bag, a salad tray, a comb, or a coat hanger and put it in a hole in the ground. A few months later, it will have vanished. Decomposed. Not only does Biodolomer® not create plastic waste that lives forever. It contributes to earth’s natural fertility. Leaving no microplastics and resulting in some 80 % lower CO2 emissions. Here are some FMCG products that can be produced using Biodolomer®: Cutlery See product Coffee cups & lids See product Feminine hygiene See product Disposable plates See product Bottles and jars See product Drinking straws See product Coat hangers See product Combs See product Load more FMCG