MP Daniel Zeichner has backed calls to ramp up support for British businesses leading the fight against plastic pollution, during a visit to Xampla’s facilities to see how the firm’s natural plant polymer technology is scaling.
Based on 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, Xampla’s Morro materials bring ‘world-first’ technology to market and replace plastic in packaging with chemically unmodified plant polymers.
Five years on from his first visit to the company, based at Cambridge Science Park, the former DEFRA minister saw first-hand how Xampla’s Morro Coating has moved from the lab into the market.
Morro Coating is replacing single-use plastics in food packaging. Xampla celebrated the latest expansion of its partnership with Just Eat Takeaway.com across 10 European markets earlier this year.
Xampla explained that its natural polymer tech is created in nature and not chemically modified, remains fully biodegradable, home compostable and compatible with existing recycling streams.
Daniel Zeichner, Labour MP for Cambridge and former DEFRA minister, said, “We need to move faster from innovation to action. Cambridge is showing what is possible, but we now need to scale these solutions and make sure the UK leads in building a new generation of sustainable materials. This is about turning world-class science into real change on plastic waste, in line with the government’s work to reduce pollution and support green growth.”
Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, added, “It was a pleasure to welcome Daniel back to Xampla to show him how our technology is replacing plastic at scale in real-world applications. The only true way to tackle plastic pollution is to eliminate it at source. Natural polymers are a practical, natural alternative to plastic and will be vital in the transition away from fossil fuel-based materials.
“A piece of packaging designed to be useful for ten minutes should not be left to pollute the planet for hundreds of years. Xampla’s technology is proof that we can replace plastic altogether with natural alternatives that deliver the performance brands and consumers expect and we are proud to be leading this innovation in Cambridge.”
