A new biodegradable material has the potential to eliminate 8,700 tonnes of microplastics from beauty products in Europe, it has been claimed.
Teysha Technologies, a specialist in biodegradable polymers from natural sources, has promised to reduce microplastic waste in the cosmetics industry with its new material, AggiePol.
Microplastic fragments persist in the environment for hundreds of years and contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed by the skin. Despite the UK’s 2018 ban on exfoliating plastic microbeads in cosmetics products, Teysha Technologies said microplastics from other sources including thickeners, film-forming agents and stabilisers continue to be prevalent.
To eliminate traditional microplastic additives in the cosmetics industry, the business revealed it is engaging with large multinationals to roll out AggiePol, a novel bioplastic derived entirely from natural feedstocks including farming or food waste.
The material is said to biodegrade into natural, non-harmful sugars and has received a Certificate of Biodegradability following successful OECD 310 testing.
Dr Karen Wooley, inventor and chief technology officer at Teysha Technologies, said, “The integration of biodegradable materials like AggiePol in cosmetics not only meets the growing consumer demand for sustainable products but also sets a new standard for the industry. We are excited to be leading the way in making beauty products safer for both consumers and the environment.”
