Slovak scientists create biodegradable bioplastics from algae to cut reliance on crude‑oil plastics

BRATISLAVA, Sept 27 — Slovak biotechnologists have developed a novel bioplastic derived from algae and other biological materials, presenting a promising alternative to traditional plastics made from fossil fuels, according to Xinhua. The innovative material was created by Slovak company BioX Technologies, with the aim of addressing environmental concerns related to the production and disposal of conventional plastics, as reported by the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) yesterday.

Ema Ondrejkova, a representative of BioX Technologies, highlighted the challenges posed by single-use plastics and their inability to be recycled indefinitely. She emphasized the company's pursuit of materials that possess similar characteristics to conventional plastics but are sourced from renewable resources and possess biodegradable properties.

One of the standout features of the new bioplastic is its end-of-life treatment, as it is designed to biodegrade under suitable conditions, unlike traditional plastics that typically require collection, sorting, and processing for recycling. Moreover, certain formulations of the material can be made edible, as indicated by the researchers.