In the fight against the global plastic pollution crisis, a novel contender has emerged: Morro — a suite of plant-based, plastic-free materials developed by Xampla that aim to replace today’s most polluting single-use plastics. With a foundation in groundbreaking scientific research and a bold ambition, Morro points the way to a future where packaging is sustainable, functional, and safe for people and planet alike. Xampla+2The NAT+2
What Makes Morro Different:
100% Plant-Based and Chemical-Free
Morro materials are derived from natural polymers sourced from plants — often proteins from peas, rapeseed, sunflower or agricultural co-products. Crucially, they are not chemically modified or cross-linked. This means they retain their natural biodegradability and do not persist in the environment the way conventional plastics or many bioplastics do. Xampla+2morro.earth+2
As a result, when disposed, Morro materials biodegrade naturally — whether in soil, freshwater, marine environments, or even in home compost conditions. Xampla+2packaging-gateway.com+2
Drop-in Replacement for Existing Manufacturing
One of the biggest barriers to plastic alternatives is the need for new machinery or radical changes to production lines. Morro solves that: its materials are designed to be “drop-in” solutions — meaning they can work with existing manufacturing equipment and supply chains, without costly overhauls. Xampla+2Xampla+2
This lowers the barrier for brands and packaging companies to adopt Morro materials, accelerating real-world transition away from plastics.
Fully Compliant with Global Regulations & Free from Forever Chemicals
Morro materials are exempt from regulatory burdens such as the EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive (SUPD), and they avoid PFAS (often called “forever chemicals”) entirely. This makes them not only sustainable but also future-proof in light of tightening regulations worldwide.
Morro’s Versatile Material Portfolio
Morro isn’t a single material — it’s an ecosystem of solutions. Depending on use-case, different variants can replace a wide range of conventional plastic applications:
- Morro™ Coating — a world-first, plant-based coating for paper packaging. It provides grease, water, and oxygen barrier performance — comparable to traditional plastic or PFAS coatings — yet remains compostable and recycling-friendly.
- Morro™ Soluble Film — a water-soluble alternative to plastics like PVOH, ideal for home-care or detergent sachets, dish-washer pods, and similar single-use applications.
- Morro™ Edible Film — a food-grade, fully edible and digestible film, offering the futuristic possibility of “packaging you can eat.” This opens paths for zero-waste product formats in the food and beverage space.
- Morro™ Micro — a micro-encapsulation technology targeting a common but often overlooked source of pollution: microplastics hidden in personal-care and home-care items. Morro Micro encapsulates actives without leaving harmful residues.
Together, these variants create a holistic system capable of replacing a vast array of plastic-based packaging and microplastic applications.
From Lab to Scale: Commercialization & Mainstream Adoption
Morro isn’t just an academic exercise. Born from 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, the materials have moved out of the lab and into industrial reality.
To scale production, Xampla has partnered with entities like 2M Group of Companies: under this agreement, 2M will manufacture multiple tonnes of Morro materials at its Milton Keynes site.
These efforts are supported by funding and grants — for example, Morro materials were awarded a grant by Innovate UK to ramp up manufacturing capacity.
The momentum signals that Morro’s solutions are ready for mainstream use — a significant milestone in the global push to phase out single-use plastics.
Why Morro Matters — For Brands, Consumers, and the Planet
- For brands and manufacturers, Morro offers a low-cost, low-friction switch: no new equipment needed, compliance with regulations, and a “green” badge (the “Morro marque”) that resonates with consumers.
- For consumers, it unlocks sustainable packaging choices that actually perform — from food packaging to detergents and personal-care products — without sacrificing convenience.
- For the environment, Morro presents a real path to reducing plastic and PFAS pollution. Because the materials biodegrade naturally, even accidental releases into soil, water, or oceans pose no long-term harm.
The Big Picture: A Step Toward a Plastic-Free Future
By turning plant proteins and natural polymers into versatile, high-performance packaging materials, Morro represents more than just another eco-friendly alternative. It’s a systemic rethinking of packaging — one that retains usability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, while eliminating single-use plastics at the root.
As governments clamp down on plastic waste, and as consumers increasingly demand sustainable options, innovations like
Morro could set the standard for what packaging should be in the 21st century: natural, renewable, effective — and kind to the planet.
