We often measure the value of materials by how they perform. How strong, cheap, versatile a product is. But in many cases, value might come from areas we do not see as consumers. How easy is it to make, or how cheap? How can it be recycled or reused? The production and end-of-life parts of a product’s existence are usually unknown to consumers. When it comes to plastics, these areas are very important to stop pollution and start using eco-friendly materials.
In the ReBIOlution project, we’re not just reimagining what plastics are made of, but also reimagining what they become. This is why we work with bio-based plastics.
End-of-life begins at the start of design
Currently, plastic has a shorter or longer life-cycle. But when its use is done, it either must be recycled, or ends up in landfills, because it cannot be broken down. And that is the best case scenario, as often it makes it to forests, rivers, and oceans, polluting our environment. If plastics were biodegradable, they would not be such a problem to deal with once their usefulness has run its course.
Even so, it is easy to think of “biodegradable” as a label you slap onto a finished product. But in truth, the path to compostability or soil degradation begins long before the plastic is made. It starts with the molecules used, and their source.
By developing a set of bio-based building blocks for plastics, ReBIOlution enables a more intentional approach to material end-of-life. This means designing plastics that can biodegrade in specific environments, such as soil or industrial compost, and also after a given amount of time. This results in plastics that degrade in months or years, instead of centuries, and less contaminants in the environment.
Why agriculture must be ground zero for bio-based plastics
Among the many sectors demanding better plastic solutions, agriculture stands out. It’s one of the few industries where plastics are directly used on and in the soil. How? In mulch films, controlled-release fertiliser coatings, plant guards, irrigation components and pipes, and more.
These materials need to be durable enough to last through a growing season. Currently they are, but they are also not degradable, and if left there, pollute the very soil that grows the plants that feed us.
Traditional agricultural plastics can linger in the soil for years, breaking down into microplastics that are difficult to remove and harmful to soil health. ReBIOlution’s goal is to change that by designing bio-based plastics that not only perform in the field but disappear safely afterwards.
Blending for Balance: Strength Meets Soil-Friendliness
The challenge lies in achieving the right balance. If a plastic degrades too quickly, it can fail during use. But if it’s too stable, it may never biodegrade. That’s why ReBIOlution tests multiple polymer blends, combining different monomers and fine-tuning physical properties to ensure that the end-of-life timing and result is predictable, safe, and suitable for real-world use.
The blends must be tested under different conditions, such as compost piles, fields, water, different temperatures, etc. By doing this, we can understand how material design influences decomposition, nutrient impact, and environmental safety.
The end goal is not a label or calling ourselves “green”, it is actual change and improvement.
The economic breakdown of plastic breakdown
There’s a common misconception that biodegradable equals expensive or inefficient. In fact, the bioplastic market only grows. And with innovations in scale-up and cost modeling, ReBIOlution is proving that bio-based plastics can be economically competitive, especially when you factor in the savings associated with end-of-life management.
For example, traditional mulch films require labor-intensive removal and disposal. But a mulch film that safely degrades in the soil saves time, labor, and costs.
And by using bio-based materials that come from non-food biomass or agricultural waste, we avoid competing with food supply chains. Sustainability is becoming the smarter economic choice, not just an eco-friendly one.
Designing for end-of-life in bio-based plastics
In a world drowning in plastic waste, we need to do better. That is why the end-of-life must be planned and designed for. ReBIOlution is working exactly towards that: plastics with a simple and sustainable exit, made from renewable resources and designed to return safely to nature.