Balena

Fully Biodegradable Thermoplastic Material: BioCir™

Balena is a material science company on a mission to create a sustainable future with its propriety, fully biodegradable thermoplastic material and cutting-edge circular model to solve the “end of life” problem for consumer brands.

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General Description

Balena is a material science company on a mission to create a sustainable future with its fully biodegradable thermoplastic material: BioCir™, a fully compostable bio-based elastomer – the first of its kind. BioCir™ is the first elastomer that is fully compostable while durable, flexible, and smooth. BioCir™ is setting the standard for compostable plastics, allowing consumers and brands to experience it exactly like the plastic materials they are used to- except that it is completely biodegradable in an industrial composting environment. Balena has pioneered an “end-of-life solution” to responsibly dispose of this material once consumers are done with their product. By creating partnerships with both brands and compost facilities, Balena’s BioCycling system, a new circular model, allows consumers to bring products back to a designated takeback point on their way to an industrial compost facility where they will fully biodegrade in a matter of weeks.

Sustainability Impact

With our current manufacturing process, we can reduce the use of fossil fuel sources in polymer production by up to 60%, with the aim of eventually reducing our reliance on fossil fuels entirely. BioCir is completely biodegradable in industrial composting facilities, which is why Balena has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in our landfills. In addition, because BioCir is broken down into usable compost, Balena can support the creation of significant amounts of organic compost that can be used in agriculture. Balena’s manufacturing process and material do not include any toxic or harmful chemicals or release fumes that pose a significant risk to workers in production. Because our unique plastic is fully biodegradable at the end of its use, we significantly reduce air, ground and water pollution, decreasing the harm posed to surrounding ecosystems.

Head of Project

David Roubach