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Oceanic microplastics remain one of the main environmental challenges ahead. The preliminary results reported by this year’s edition of The Ocean Race added further food for thought, as microplastics were found even in the remote waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean – a route seldom traveled. GAIA startpage WORRYING LEVELS OF OCEANIC MICROPLASTICS FOUND DURING THE OCEAN RACE WORRYING LEVELS OF OCEANIC MICROPLASTICS FOUND DURING THE OCEAN RACE Oceanic microplastics remain one of the main environmental challenges ahead. The preliminary results reported by this year’s edition of The Ocean Race added further food for thought, as microplastics were found even in the remote waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean – a route seldom traveled. Photo: Pixabay Oceanic microplastics remain one of the main environmental challenges ahead. The preliminary results reported by this year’s edition of The Ocean Race added further food for thought, as microplastics – in levels up to 1884 particles per cubic meter sea water – were reported in each of the 40 samples analyzed so far. Even during the challenging third leg through the remote waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean – a route seldom traveled – microplastic levels of up to 1492 particles per cubic meter were reported. For the first time, this year’s edition of The Ocean Race also examined the chemical structure of the plastic particles collected to better understand the causes and origins of oceanic microplastics. The initial analysis point towards polyethylene (PE) as the main contributor; meaning fishing nets, flexible packaging, plastic bags, and containers, to name some of the most common. The Ocean Race, apart from being a round-the-world sailing race (formerly known as Volvo Ocean Race), also runs a sustainability program that, among other topics, monitors the levels of microplastics in the ocean. Racing through some of the most inhospitable waters in the world, participants in The Ocean Race are uniquely well-positioned to monitor the microplastic levels in the oceans. Given the worrying results put forward by The Ocean Race, GAIA is further strengthened in its belief that Biodolomer® will solve many of these problems, as it can replace up to 80% of the world’s volume plastics while being both biodegradable and compostable. It also has a density higher than seawater, meaning that it will sink to the bottom of the ocean, where the bacteria found in the bottom sediments will completely biodegrade it. For those interested in learning more about The Ocean Race and their work with microplastics, you can find it 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

Carrier bags made from compostable Biodolomer biomaterial will biodegrade without leaving any microplastics if accidentally left in nature. Bags made from Biodolomer offer the same functionality as plastic carrier bags but will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. GAIA startpage Carrier bags Carrier bags Plastic carrier bags from shops and stores are generally considered one of the biggest sources of plastic waste in nature. Still – it’s a really usable product. By making the bags out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial you reduce both waste and CO2 emissions drastically. While they still have exactly the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature, they will soon biodegrade, leaving no microplastics. Contact us

A recently published Greenpeace report claims that recycling increases the toxicity of recycled plastic. According to the report, which draws its conclusions from several different reports and research articles, most plastics contain toxic chemicals from the start, to begin with, but by recycling them, further toxic chemicals can be added due to contamination in the plastic waste stream and the recycling process itself. GAIA startpage GREENPEACE: RECYCLING MAKES PLASTICS MORE TOXIC GREENPEACE: RECYCLING MAKES PLASTICS MORE TOXIC A recently published Greenpeace report claims that recycling increases the toxicity of the recycled plastic. According to the report, that draws its conclusions from several different reports and research articles, most plastics contain toxic chemicals from the start to begin with, but by recycling them, further toxic chemicals can be added due to contamination in the plastic waste stream and the recycle process itself. Picture: Pixabay Toxic substances leach into the plastic waste: Studies have shown that contaminants can be absorbed directly into the plastics from direct contact, as well as through the absorption of volatile compounds, thus adding to the toxic substances already present in the material. Examples given of such contamination include containers for pesticides and cleaning solvents. Toxic substances are created through the recycling process: When heated in the recycling process, plastics can generate new toxic chemicals that further increase the toxic content in the recycled plastics. One such example is that plastics containing brominated flame retardants create brominated dioxins. Another is that stabilizers used in plastic recycling can degrade to highly toxic substances. The report also highlights a number of action points that they urge governments and organisations to implement: Immediate, significant reductions in plastic production; ending virgin plastic production Promote a shift to refill- and reuse-based economies Support a just transition for workers across the plastics supply chain Promote non-combustion technologies for plastic stockpiles and waste disposal. Institute the “polluter pays” principle for plastic waste management Improve regulation, oversight, safety and worker protections for recycling facilities. Require transparency about chemicals in plastics and eliminate all toxic additives Whilst we at GAIA don’t necessarily agree with the individual solutions put forward by Greenpeace in the report, we still believe that the report encourages the continued discussion concerning which role plastic recycling should play in a sustainable world. For those interested in learning more about the Greenpeace report, you can find it 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

Compostable Biodolomer biomaterial can replace plastics for bottle and jar applications. The production equipment and product quality will remain the same, but waste, energy use, and CO2 emissions will decrease drastically, and the bottles and jars will biodegrade without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Bottles and jars Bottles and jars Bottles and jars for many applications 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. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

Growing bananas in plastic bags? Switch to compostable Biodolomer bags instead. GAIA startpage Banana tree bags Growing bananas in plastic bags? Switch to compostable Biodolomer bags instead. Way better for cutting down waste and CO2 emissions. And that's only one of several ways that Biodolomer can kick plastic out of agriculture! Read more here Published date 20 nov. 2023 Category News

Caps and capsules for various bottles and cartons can be made from compostable Biodolomer biomaterials instead of plastics. They maintain the same functionality but drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. They also biodegrade without leaving any microplastics if accidentally left in nature. GAIA startpage Caps and capsules Caps and capsules Even PET or glass bottles or milk cartons often have plastic caps and capsules that result in waste and that use a lot of resources. By making them out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial you reduce both waste and CO2 emissions drastically. While they still have exactly the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature, they will soon biodegrade, leaving no microplastics. Contact us

Golf tees made from compostable Biodolomer instead of plastics will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. They work just as well and, if forgotten or left at the course, will biodegrade and disappear without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Golf tees Golf tees This is where we all started. Golf tees that are not picked up will cause damage to mowers and pollute the course. Making golf tees out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial drastically reduces waste and CO2 emissions. While still working just as good as plastic ones. And if they are forgotten or left at the course they will decompose and disappear. Contact us

Infill for artificial turf made from compostable Biodolomer biomaterial removes the problem with microplastics. At the same time, it drastically reduces waste and CO2 emissions while still working just as well. GAIA startpage Infill for artificial turf Infill for artificial turf Artificial turf has revolutionized sports and made it possible to practice and compete all year round all over the world. But the environmental impact has led to the concept being more and more questioned. One aspect is the infill. The granules that are the “soil” under the “grass”. These granules wear out and need to be replaced and as they are worn out, microplastics are released into the underlying ground. Making the granules out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial removes this problem completely. At the same time it drastically reduces waste and CO2 emissions. While still working just as good. Contact us

Feminine hygiene products cause considerable pollution problems when disposed of incorrectly. Making them from compostable Biodolomer biomaterial instead of plastics reduces waste and CO2 emissions without compromising functionality. They also biodegrade without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Feminine hygiene Feminine hygiene Feminine hygiene products 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. Making these products out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial drastically reduces waste and CO2 emissions. While still achieving precisely the same function. And if they accidentally find themselves in nature they will biodegrade and disappear. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

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

Making shower curtain holders out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial instead of plastics will drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. The function remains the same, but any product that accidentally finds itself in nature will biodegrade and disappear without leaving any microplastics. GAIA startpage Shower curtain holders Shower curtain holders Traditionally, plastic is used to produce many things, shower curtain holders for example. By making shower curtain holders out of compostable Biodolomer® biomaterial, you drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions. While still achieving precisely the same function. And a product that accidentally finds itself in nature will biodegrade and disappear. Leaving no microplastics. Contact us

A project that aims to develop new ways to reduce food waste reduce food waste in in Europe through innovations. GAIA startpage Home compostable Clam Shell packaging Home compostable Clam Shell packaging Home compostable Clam Shell packaging Gaia Biomaterials is part of the EU-project SISTERS. A project that aims to develop new ways to reduce food waste reduce food waste in in Europe through innovations. One way of doing this is by developing new packaging materials with low environmental footprint. We have produced a new compostable thermoform material by combining Biodolomer T and the innovative CarbiosActive enzyme technology, the material will decompose faster and at ambient temperatures. We aim to get HOME compost certification in 2025. The first demonstrators have now been shipped to the projects validation partners. Read more here: https://sistersproject.eu/ Contact us