UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh start-up E.V.A. Biosystems has developed a ‘groundbreaking’ plastic that can sense when it’s in the ocean and break itself down without creating microplastics.
The solution secured top prize in the SSE-sponsored Net Zero category at this year’s Converge Awards, which celebrate Scottish academic innovation.
E.V.A. Biosystems impressed judges with its approach to tackling plastic pollution, earning a £30,000 cash prize and £19,500 of in-kind business support from SSE and Converge’s network of industry partners to develop the business.
The company also won the IBioIC Award, which is presented to an innovative biotech business with a product or process that addresses a real market need, netting £20,000 for the University of Edinburgh.
“We’re all struggling with plastic pollution, and while there are many people developing biodegradable plastics, they’re too expensive and only make up about 1% of the world’s plastic,” said Dr Alexander Speakman, founder of E.V.A. Biosystems. “Our technology works with existing plastics, making them ‘smart’ enough to break down when they end up where they shouldn’t be, like in our oceans or landfills.”
E.V.A. Biosystems’ innovation involves adding special bacteria to conventional plastics. These bacteria can detect when they’re in environments like seawater and activate enzymes that break down the plastic.
Unlike chemical degradation, which can create microplastics, E.V.A’s technology can prevent these waste products.
