E.V.A Biosystems creates bespoke biological additives that can be blended into standard commodity plastics, preserving their performance during use but triggering enzymatic degradation under specific environmental conditions. The drop‑in additives are compatible with existing extrusion, injection molding, and 3‑D printing processes, enabling manufacturers to add selective degradability without changing equipment. This approach aims to reduce microplastic formation and improve end‑of‑life outcomes for everyday plastic products.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional plastics persist in the environment, generating large volumes of waste and microplastics because most polymers lack mechanisms for controlled degradation after use. Existing biodegradable alternatives often require new manufacturing processes or compromise material performance, limiting their adoption in existing supply chains.
Solution
E.V.A Biosystems addresses this gap by developing bespoke biological additives that can be blended into standard, low‑cost plastics used in industry. These additives remain inert during product use, preserving the mechanical and functional properties of the base polymer, but trigger enzymatic degradation when exposed to specific environmental conditions. The degradation occurs at the polymer chain level, reducing the formation of microplastics and enabling a more complete breakdown of the material. Because the additives are designed as drop‑in solutions, they are compatible with existing extrusion, injection molding, and 3‑D printing equipment, allowing manufacturers to adopt the technology without major process changes. The approach aims to provide a scalable, cost‑effective pathway to improve the end‑of‑life outcomes of everyday plastic products.
Target Audience
Primary customers are plastic manufacturers, packaging producers, and consumer‑goods companies seeking to incorporate degradable functionality into existing polymer streams without altering their production lines.
Features
- Biological additive formulated to integrate with common commodity plastics (e.g., PE, PP) as a simple blend
- Selective activation mechanism that initiates enzymatic degradation only under predefined environmental triggers (e.g., specific temperature, moisture, or microbial presence)
- Enzymatic degradation pathway that breaks polymer chains, minimizing residual microplastic particles
- Compatibility with standard manufacturing processes such as injection molding, extrusion, and 3‑D printing, requiring no new equipment
- Tailorable degradation rates and trigger conditions to match product lifecycle requirements
- Proven prototype development through funded feasibility studies, including custom composite 3‑D printer filaments