The UK’s new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, recently delivered a major policy speech addressing the climate crisis. In his speech, he highlighted biodegradable fishing nets as an example of initiatives made possible through British investments. These nets, developed in South Africa using Swedish material, have the potential to completely eliminate the problem of ghost nets in the oceans over time. GAIA startpage UK Foreign Secretary highlights biodegradable fishing nets made from Swedish material in policy speech UK Foreign Secretary highlights biodegradable fishing nets made from Swedish material in policy speech The UK’s new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, recently delivered a major policy speech addressing the climate crisis. In his speech, he highlighted biodegradable fishing nets as an example of initiatives made possible through British investments. These nets, developed in South Africa using Swedish material, have the potential to completely eliminate the problem of ghost nets in the oceans over time. Photo: Konrad Rosén – R&D Manager at Gaia Biomaterials, with the biodegradable fishing net. The Swedish company Gaia Biomaterials, based in Helsingborg, developed the bioplastic material – Biodolomer – which is used to produce the nets. The material is compostable and does not release microplastics. Biodolomer is used fpr a variety of applications, including grocery bags, disposable aprons, and drinking straws. For several years, the company has been working with South African company Catchgreen, supported by the UK Foreign Office, to develop a version of the material for the fishing industry: Biodolomer Ocean. “Fishing nets that end up in the oceans becom ghost nets and pose an enormous problem,” says Konrad Rosén, Head of Development at Gaia Biomaterials. “They can float around for hundreds of years, becoming deadly traps for marine animals while also releasing microplastics.” Gaia Biomaterials’ new material has been tested in Africa for several years, and has been used in inland fishing, seaweed, and coral farming in Kenya, a country with strict regulations on plastic use. Recently, the first complete net made from this material was finished and showcased at an international fishing exhibition in Iceland. Published date 2 okt. 2024 Category News

Making drinking cups with compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial instead of plastics will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. The function remains the same, but if a product accidentally finds itself in nature, it will biodegrade and disappear without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Drinking cups Drinking cups Drinking cups are a convenient option when real glasses are deemed too cumbersome. But drinking cups are a big source of pollution. They create a lot of waste and use many resources. And if they find themselves in the wrong place, they will stay in nature for a long time. Using compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial instead of plastic drastically reduces waste and CO2 emissions. While still achieving precisely the same function. And anything that accidentally finds itself in nature will biodegrade and disappear. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

Peter Barry joined Gaia’s board of directors earlier this year following his investment in the company. But what brings an Irishman from the tea industry to a Swedish company working to phase out the world’s use of plastics? GAIA startpage This is us: Part 1 – Peter Barry This is us: Part 1 – Peter Barry This is us: Part 1 – Peter Barry Peter Barry joined Gaia’s board of directors earlier this year following his investment in the company. But what brings an Irishman from the tea industry to a Swedish company working to phase out the world’s use of plastics? Peter Barry was born into tea. His family founded and runs Ireland’s leading tea brand – Barry’s Tea – and Peter was involved in various small jobs at the company from a young age. After finishing school, Peter left Ireland for the UK in 1989 to start working for Typhoo Tea, where he stayed for 16 years before becoming a director at the contract tea-packaging company Infusion GB. “We package about 1 billion tea bags annually, and that’s just one company in one industry,” says Peter Barry. “The packaging industry has an enormous impact on the environment, and it’s our duty to make ourselves part of the solution since we are part of the problem.” It was through another company that Peter first came into contact with Gaia Biomaterials, and the concept immediately fascinated him. “The fact that there is a material that can replace plastic, is compostable, has a very low CO2 footprint, and is made from one of the most common minerals on the planet is incredible. It seemed almost too good to be true, and I was a little hesitant at first.” After doing his research, he realized that Gaia’s material, Biodolomer, is very much “the real deal.” During the latest investment round, Peter became an investor in the company and joined its board of directors. “Biodolomer is being used in everything from grocery bags to beer cups and pots for plants. The potential is huge. We’ve already tried using Biodolomer in envelopes for tea bags at Infusion GB, and the results are very promising. The engineers say it’s the best material they’ve come across in 40 years – and it uses 50% less energy.” Peter now works to keep brands and packaging companies in other sectors interested and informed on how compostability can solve many problems. “I come from within the industry, so I bring a certain credibility to the table. There’s a lot of conservatism and a mindset of ‘we can’t do that.’ “It’s like in Ireland when smoking was banned in bars and restaurants – we were the first in Europe to do that. Before it came into force, there was a lot of disgruntlement, but once implemented, it wasn’t a big deal. Now, it just seems strange that people used to smoke in pubs… It’s the same for plastic packaging. Once people understand that there’s a realistic alternative, they’ll realize it was much ado about nothing.” Contact us

Disposable plastic automotive covers create a lot of waste. If blown off, they stay in nature for a very long time. Automotive covers made from compostable Biodolomer biomaterial reduce waste and CO2 emissions drastically. They have the same function and biodegrade without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Automotive covers Automotive covers Covering cars with disposable plastic automotive covers creates a lot of waste. And if blown off, they fly away and stay in nature for a very long time. By making automotive covers out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial you reduce both waste and CO2 emissions drastically. While still having exactly the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature, they will soon biodegrade, leaving no microplastics. Contact us

E-commerce bags made with compostable Biodolomer biomaterial will biodegrade without leaving any microplastics if accidentally left in nature. They offer the same functionality as plastic e-commerce bags but will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. GAIA startpage e-commerce bags e-commerce bags The plastic bags used in e-commerce are a big source 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 having e-commerce bags made out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial you reduce both waste and CO2 emissions. While still having exactly the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature, they will soon biodegrade, leaving no microplastics. Contact us

We are happy to welcome our new Finance Manager Tobias Wilbs to GAIA BioMaterials. GAIA startpage Finance Manager Tobias Wilbs to GAIA BioMaterials. We are happy to welcome our new Finance Manager Tobias Wilbs to GAIA BioMaterials . Tobias has a solid background as a business controller with companies such as Lidl Sverige , Paradox Interactive , Maquet Getinge Group , and MilDef . “I am a bit of a numbers nerd and love to be a part of growth journey. Finding solutions and creating systems that can help making that growth possible while the company stays profitable. GAIA Biomaterials has the soul of a startup combined with real-life industrialism. And a true purpose. This is a company that wants to – and will – make a difference.“ Published date 20 nov. 2023 Category News

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

We can make it OK to use straws in your drink again. The hotel, restaurant and catering businesses have taken a bad beating lately. Fast food containers and disposable soft drink cups littering the landscape have become a symbol of what’s bad with our times. And – we don’t get drinking straws anymore. This is where Biodolomer® from GAIA Biomaterials enter the scene. By switching the material used in manufacturing from plastic to Biodolomer®, a large part of these disposable products can become biodegradable. Even compostable. (Yup – put it in a hole in the ground and wait a few months and see what has happened). Cups, lids, straws, trays and containers, cutlery, aprons, and waste bags. 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. GAIA startpage Hotel, restaurant & Catering Biodolomer® F 900480 Biodolomer® F offers a great down gauging potential for thin film applications like carrier bags, waste bags, etc. See grade 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 Load more All hotel, restaurant & catering Featured hotel, restaurant & catering grades We can make it OK to use straws in your drink again. The hotel, restaurant, and catering businesses have taken a bad beating lately. Fast food containers and disposable soft drink cups littering the landscape have become a symbol of what’s bad with our times. And – we don’t get drinking straws anymore. This is where Biodolomer ® from GAIA Biomaterials enter the scene. By switching the material used in manufacturing from plastic to Biodolomer ® , a large part of these disposable products can become biodegradable. Even compostable. (Yup – put it in a hole in the ground and wait a few months and see what has happened). Cups, lids, straws, trays and containers, cutlery, aprons, and waste bags. Biodolomer ® is a fully compostable material that contains calcium carbonate. Not only does it not create plastic waste that lives forever. It contributes to the 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 hotel, restaurant, and catering products that can be produced using Bidolomer ® : Cutlery See product Beverage cups See product Caps and capsules See product Aprons See product Coffee cups & lids See product Disposable plates See product Bottles and jars See product Drinking straws See product Load more Hotel, restaurant & Catering

An interview with Ken Hu, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager Mitsubishi International Corporation GAIA startpage An interview with Ken Hu, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager Mitsubishi International Corporation An interview with Ken Hu, Mitsubishi International Corporation The US market has been identified as GAIAs main priority for the international expansion, and as such, GAIA works closely together with Mitsubishi International Corporation in the US. GAIA had the opportunity and privilege to sit down with Mr. Ken Hu, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager with Mitsubishi international corporation, to ask him about the US market, the cooperation between the two companies, and the customer response to Biodolomer. GBM: What are your views on the US market for compostable bioplastics? KH: The whole market for biodegradable and compostable bioplastics really took off with the introduction of PLA, which was produced locally in the US and marketed as compostable and biodegradable. Back then, the introduction of compostable bioplastics was largely driven by brand owners, as they wanted to have something sustainable within their offering. There was also an understanding that since these new materials were expensive, the first products were marketed as a niche offering. Since then, the market has developed considerably, with more materials being introduced, and with that a greater public attention and interest in compostable bioplastics. As people started to take an interest, three distinct sustainable plastic solutions started to appear: - Compostable - Biobased - Recycled (post-consumer-recycled (PCR) plastics) Each of these categories have their pro’s and cons, and based upon them they will find their own preferred market categories where they offer the most value for money. GBM: Have you experienced a shift in the way customers view compostable bioplastics over time? Ken Hu, Mitsubishi International Corporation (Photo: Private) KH: Yes, definitely. As I mentioned, PLA was the starting point for compostable plastics in the US but, as you know, PLA has its limitations. As these limitations became more commonly known, people began to take an interest in other materials, that could offer new properties and, not the least, that didn’t require industrial composting. There was an interest in the market to upgrade from industrial composting to home composting, or backyard composting, as it is sometimes referred to in the US. Biodolomer was introduced to the American market just in time to benefit from this increased interest in home composting. Since COVID, there has been a distinct shift in the market, with price starting to play a much bigger role, as the interest for sustainable solutions have outgrown its original market niches. This has favoured the post-consumer-recycled plastics in the short term. That being said, all three solutions are growing in the market, as the difficulty to recycle some plastics has encouraged the market to opt for biobased and/or compostable bioplastics. GBM: Speaking of the US market, Has the US government introduced any mandate on biodegradable plastics? KH: The United States does not have a federal mandate specifically requiring the use of biodegradable plastics. However, there are several initiatives and regulations at both the federal and state levels aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives. For example, The Biden-Harris Administration has set ambitious goals to reduce plastic pollution, including a draft “National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This strategy aims to eliminate the release of plastic waste into the environment by 2040. There have also been efforts to phase out single-use plastics in federal agencies by 2035, through the “Mobilizing federal action on plastic pollution: progress, principles, and priorities.” interagency initiative. Some states have implemented their own regulations. For example, California’s AB 1201 requires compostable products to be certified by third-party organizations and prohibits the use of misleading terms like “biodegradable” on plastic products. These measures reflect a growing commitment to addressing plastic pollution and promoting more sustainable materials. GBM: What have been the customer reactions to Biodolomer bioplastics? KH: The strategy for the US market was to start with the film blowing customers, as both we and GAIA believed that there were some very interesting prospects already using compostable bioplastics in their production that could be enticed to try out Biodolomer® bioplastics, which was introduced as an alternative and/or second material to what they are already using. So far, the market response have been surprisingly positive; customers are very impressed with how easy it is to use the Biodolomer® F bioplastics in the machines, as compared with their incumbent compostable material. Another thing that has greatly impressed customers is the level of customization and support that GAIA offers. With competing grades, the customization options are limited and customers will have to make do with the material in the best way they can, whilst with GAIA’s grades, the fine-tuning opportunities means that the production and end product properties can be optimized at a whole different level. To summarize, the quality of the material, and the technical support and customization offered has had the customers pleasantly surprised. GBM: Describe, in your own words, how you think the cooperation with GAIA is working so far: KH: I think that we (Mitsubishi) and the team from GAIA have established a very good relationship, based on mutual respect for each other’s experience and expertise, and a willingness to work for the common good of the cooperation. What have made the biggest impression on me is the innovative technology that GAIA has managed to develop, and the market-oriented approach where adjustments to customer feedback and requirements are dealt with quickly and efficiently. The commitment to the US market and the customers have been excellent, and it’s something that customers feels and appreciates. GBM: Thank you, Ken for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us, and to share your insights into the US market. For those interested in learning more about the US market for plastics, the below links can help with a better understanding of the ambitions laid out by the current administration: Sustainable Management of Plastics | US EPA Mobilizing-Federal-Action-on-Plastic-Pollution-Progress-Principles-and-Priorities-July-2024.pdf ( whitehouse.gov ) Published date 2 okt. 2024 Category Newsletter

GAIA startpage Home Property Unit Test method Grade 900480 Typical Basic Material properties of grade 900480 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 1

GAIA Earns BPI Certification for Biodolomer® T GAIA startpage GAIA Earns BPI Certification for Biodolomer® T GAIA Earns BPI Certification for Biodolomer® T Following up the company’s impressive BPI certification for its Biodolomer® F film grades, in thicknesses up to 126 microns, GAIA continues its quest to conquer the hearts and minds of US consumers and companies by adding another BPI certification. This time for Biodolomer® T grades for thermoforming. (Photo: Genberg & Co) “With the BPI certification for Biodolomer® F, things were new for us, says GAIA R&D Manager Konrad Rosén. “It was the first time we certified a material with BPI, and although we were confident that the material would pass the certification, due to our previous experiences with TÜV Austria and DinCertco, there are always minor differences in the way the processes are structured, and the way results are viewed between the different certification bodies. This time around there were no uncertainties whatsoever.” The BPI certification is for 1000 microns and is based on the US ASTM D6400 standard, which is very similar to the European EN 13432 standard. With the new BPI certification, GAIA is rapidly building a reputation as a company that is serious about entering the US market. The company now holds BPI certifications for both thermoforming-, as well as film blowing materials, and has received FDA Authorisation for its materials for use with foods. Please find the certification document in the certificates section of our website here . Published date 2 okt. 2024 Category Newsletter