A Sweet Solution for Plastic Pollution

Teysha Technologies’AggiePol, have developed a sweet solution to plastic pollution… literally. Spearheaded by researchers Dr. Karen Wooley and Dr. Ashlee Jahnke at Texas A&M University, this technology transforms natural waste materials into biodegradable plastics by deriving glucose. 

Over the past decade, the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the environment and human health have gained increasing attention. Governments worldwide are now taking action. For instance, the UK has banned single-use plastic items such as cutlery, plates, bowls, and straws. Meanwhile, global negotiations for a UN Plastics Treaty aim to create a unified approach to combat plastic waste, though recent talks have yet to yield concrete resolutions.

There are increasingly more solutions on the market, however, brands must consider that some are more “sustainable” than others. Traditional plastics are made from fossil fuels, thus contributing to the climate crisis and making them an unsustainable choice. However, while bioplastics are made from natural materials, many of them compete with already scarce food resources.Therefore,Teysha Technologies developed its bioplastics from natural waste materials. For example, it can use glucose taken from cassava peel, which often ends up in landfill. 

At the core of Teysha’s solution is its “plug-and-play” system, which is designed to be flexible and adaptable for different uses. Depending on how it combines modified monomers and co-monomers, Teysha can create a variety of products with different strengths, flexibility and degradation rates. AggiePol ensures a smooth transition away from conventional plastics. The solution has also been developed to be directly applied to current plant machinery, enabling a drop-in solution and reducing initial capital costs. Meaning that Teysha can tailor-make a wide range of products across a range of industries from construction, to cosmetics, to packaging, and medical equipment.

One of the most significant advantages of AggiePol is its superior biodegradability. Unlike many bioplastics that require industrial composting under high temperatures for weeks. Teysha Technologies’ solution has received a Certificate of Biodegradability following successful OECD 310 testing, meaning that it readily biodegrades into natural, non-harmful sugars. This being said, the biodegradability can be fine-tuned depending on the needs of the material, whether it is a single-use washaway product, or a construction material that’s built to last.

Teysha Technologies’ AggiePol marks a groundbreaking advancement in tackling the plastic pollution crisis, aligning perfectly with the growing demand from both businesses and consumers for sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to plastic waste. By offering a bio-sourced and fully biodegradable alternative, Teysha enables brands to meet the challenges of increasingly stringent environmental regulations all without compromising on functionality, quality, or performance.