Company Profile
Creating valuable bio-plastics and bio-composites from low-value & waste protein
The Novatein technology is a process to produce compostable bio-plastic resin using standard plastic industry plant and equipment. In contrast, manufacturing other bio-plastics encompass highly complex and capital intensive processes. This means our technology has no/low barriers to adoption for manufacturers compared to other bio-plastics. The present Novatein resin has mechanical properties that are comparable to commodity plastics and bio-plastics. Our underlying technology is based on leading edge research conducted at the Waikato Advanced Materials Group.
Applications
- Can be thermo formed using Injection & Compression moulding.
- Requires no specialized equipment.
- Is cheap to manufacture.
- Easily composted.
Market
The majority of plastics are derived from the finite resource petroleum. Environmental and economic concerns in society are driving the use of sustainable and renewable resources, such as bio-fuels and bio-plastics.
This has pushed regulatory bodies and large commercial companies to invest in new environmentally friendly technologies. The global plastics industry was worth US$1,052 billion in 2009. Bio-plastics currently have a 5-10% share of the total plastics industry, with a projected growth of at least 19% per annum in the US market.
Sustainable Business Opportunity
The Novatein process produces bio-plastic resin using a renewable, low-cost, readily available non-food feedstock. This reduces the increasing reliance on crops that would otherwise be used for food purposes, being diverted to produce bio-plastics. Initial cost estimates place Novatein resin at US$2.40 per kg. This estimate is competitive with other bio-resins commonly available in the market, which range between US$2.20 and US$5.50 per kg.
Value Proposition
Novatein's processes and products under development offer the following compelling value propositions:
The Plastics Industry:
- The resin has mechanical properties comparable to commodity plastic low density polyethylene (LDPE).
- Cost-competitiveness with other bio-plastics and petrochemical-derived plastics.
- Sustainable feedstock for plastic production compared with traditional petrochemical sources.
- Underpins a brand - Novatein’s technologies are green, sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Competitive advantage.
The Consumer
- Compostable plastic products from a sustainable feedstock.
- Ease of disposal. Overcomes consumer resistance at using and disposing of plastic products.
- Cost-competitiveness with other bio-plastics and petrochemical-derived plastics.
The Environment
- A sustainable feedstock source, compared with traditional petrochemical-derived products.
- Utilization of an existing waste stream; no longer requiring diverted primary production (e.g. corn) and/or diverted primary product from other valuable applications (e.g. food), when compared with other crop based bio-plastic feedstock’s.
- Biodegradable thermo-set and thermoplastic options.
IP Position
- Patent applications have been filed.
Partnering or Investment
Novatein is seeking to raise investment to:
- Take the next step of producing kilogram volumes of resin. This will demonstrate the scalability and value of the Novatein process and allow larger scale product trials to begin.
- Secure partnerships with resin manufacturers and rendering plants, for both supply of raw material and the manufacture of resin on a commercial scale.
- Create awareness and a need for products manufactured using Novatein resin to support the commissioning of a large scale plant as the next phase of development.