Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Plastics News
  • Plastics News China
  • European Rubber Journal
SustainablePlasticsFINAL
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Recycling
    • Sustainability
    • Bioplastics
    • Technology & Materials
    • Itero to build plastic waste recycling plant at Brightlands Chemelot Campus
      VTT-led research project aims to find ways to recover and recycle river plastic waste - profitably
      New mechanical recycling demo plant Borealis and Tomra marries chemistry with technology
      KBR, Mura partner to spur global development of the world’s first advanced recycling process based on steam
    • Huhtamaki welcomes LCA results on environmental impact of single-use packaging
      Flexible packaging industry seeks stronger alignment with circular economy ambitions
      E-marketplace brings recycled and renewable materials to circular economy
      BPF launches 'Sustainability in the Plastics Supply Chain' report
    • Novamont advances vertical integration growth strategy with acquisition BioBag
      British researchers make sustainable polymer from sugars in wood
      Novamont to further integrate upstream production with construction FDCA demonstration plant
      Sulzer wins contract to install new lactide processing plant in China
    • Injection Moulding
    • Blow Moulding
    • Extrusion
    • Thermoforming
    • 3D printing
    • Technology
    • Materials
    • Machinery
  • Opinion
    • View Point
    • A year to remember
      Opinion: California introduces world’s toughest plastic bottle recycling legislature – will other markets follow?
      Opinion: What to expect from plastic that protects our kids
      Legislation is catching up with our Lifestyle goals
  • Events
    • Our Exhibitions
    • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
    • Ask the Expert
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
    • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
  • Prices & Resources
    • Polymer Prices
    • Data Reports
    • White Papers
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Media Pack
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Newsletters
    • List Rental
  • Digital magazine
    • Digital Magazine
  • Multimedia
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
November 30, 2020 12:44 PM

Toraphene launches first biodegradable plastic packaging alternative containing graphene

Karen Laird
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Teraphene

    Teraphene aims to tackle the problem of plastic pollution.

    UK biotech company Toraphene has announced the introduction of a new biodegradable, backyard compostable and commercially viable alternative to plastic packaging. The new material, also called Toraphene, is composed of a bioplastic filled with graphene, a material stronger than diamond at the atomic level.

    According to the company, which was founded in 2018 by Gaute Juliussen, an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and associate professor of Business, Toraphene will compost naturally in the environment and biodegrade without human intervention, even in the ocean.

    As Juliussen points out, while biodegradable plastics currently exist, they rely on commercial composting, which uses energy to heat the compost, as well as presenting other logistical challenges. Moreover, some bioplastics produce methane gas when they decompose, a compound with a global warming potential 25 times that of CO2.  Toraphene can be optimised to mostly produce CO2 along with mulch that can be used to fortify topsoil.

    Is it certified?

    “Some of the feedstock biopolymer compounds we use are certified as industrially compostable according to the European standard EN13432. Others are certified according to TUV OK biodegradable MARINE and TUV OK biodegradable SOIL,” said Juliussen. “We’ll keep an eye on all standards and will apply to any we feel relevant and necessary.”

    Due to the addition of graphene, Toraphene has been shown to be stronger, thinner, and less permeable than alternatives, improving food safety and shelf-life.

    Once composting starts, natural microorganisms consume the biopolymers that Toraphene predominantly consist of. What happens to the graphene?

    “The remaining fraction of graphene flakes naturally agglomerate and turn back into graphite. The natural agglomeration is due to graphene’s large specific surface area ( 2630 m2/g) and strong Van der Waals cohesive forces,” explained Juliussen.

    “Graphite is chemically inert and non-toxic and does not cause any harm to the human or animal body. If released into nature graphite does not cause any harm to the environment,” he continued. “Graphite is used in wide range of products including drinking water treatment, pencils, lubricants, electric motor brushes, batteries and pharmaceutical / medical implants. It was substituted as a safe alternative to asbestos in automobile brake lining after airborne asbestos fibres were found to be toxic.”

    Birgit Liodden, founder of The Ocean Opportunity Lab, sees excellent potential for Toraphene. “We all know how pressing the climate crisis is, and plastic pollution is a huge problem, particularly in our ocean environments,” she said. “I’m very heartened by the prospect of Toraphene, which should be a transformative step in tackling plastic pollution and play a huge role in making the world’s oceans plastic-free.

    Depending on the product, the material is suitable for extrusion or roll-to-roll manufacturing; it can be spray coated, and 3D printed.

    Juliussen sees a range of applications opening up for the material, which has been patented in the UK, EU, and the US, including health worker PPE, wound care and composites; further into the future, the material could find application in adhesive tape and intelligent packaging.

    To generate the required funding, an equity crowdfunding campaign has also been launched on Crowdcube.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Sustainable Plastics' news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Reserve your subscription today

    Subscriptions to Sustainable Plastics, the leading Pan-European magazine for the circular plastics industry are coming soon.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

    "In a changing world, Sustainable Plastics is a constant: a platform the plastics industry can rely on to deliver the news and knowhow impacting the industry going forward”

    SustainablePlasticsFINAL
    Contact Us

    11 Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom 
    Tel: +44 (0)1622 370570

    Customer Service:
    1-313-446-0450

    [email protected]

     

    Resources
    • Advertise
    • Sitemap
    • Careers
    • Subscribe
    Affiliates
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • LSR World
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Tire Business
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • Automotive News
    • Automotive News Europe
    • Crain Publications
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Recycling
      • Sustainability
      • Bioplastics
      • Technology & Materials
        • Injection Moulding
        • Blow Moulding
        • Extrusion
        • Thermoforming
        • 3D printing
        • Technology
        • Materials
        • Machinery
    • Opinion
      • View Point
    • Events
      • Our Exhibitions
        • Plastics Recycling Show Europe
      • Plastics Industry Awards (PIA)
      • Ask the Expert
      • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Reifenhäuser Technologies Livestreams
      • Plastics News Europe Live Archives
    • Prices & Resources
      • Polymer Prices
      • Data Reports
      • White Papers
    • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Media Pack
    • Subscribe
      • Magazine
      • Newsletters
      • List Rental
    • Digital magazine
      • Digital Magazine
    • Multimedia