Life with plastic, not fantastic

400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally – every year. It stays in the environment for ages, threatening wildlife and spreading toxins.

Furthermore, the production of plastic today is based on crude oil and responsible for emitting around 2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – equivalent to 3.4% of global emissions.

Yet, the demand for plastic is increasing and is estimated to reach around 800 million tonnes by 2050, doubling the negative effects on the planet.

From grass juice to biodegradable sportswear

A new technology, developed by the Danish company Pond, holds the potential to revolutionise the plastic industry. Based on greens like grass, duckweed, and sugar beets, Pond has developed and patented a technology, that first extracts the carbohydrates from the plants and then convert the carbohydrates into a bioplastic through fermentation.

With Pond’s patented technology, they are able to give the bioplastic a strength and quality that allows it to replace close to all fossil-based plastic that fills our world today.

The use cases are manyfold – the polyester in your sportswear, the plastic cover on your phone, and your children’s plastic toys, all made from grass juice.

Carbon capture bioplastic

Because the bioplastic from Pond is based on plants, it is biodegradable, compostable, and can be recycled endlessly – without losing its quality. But the real potential lies in bioplastic’s ability to absorb and deposit CO2. Based on plants and created by photosynthesis, Pond’s bioplastic can absorb and deposit up to 2 kg of CO2 per kg – also known as Biogen Carbon Capture Storage.