The Natural Polymers Group features Notpla, Loliware, Traceless, Xampla, MarinaText, Zerocircle and PlantSea, offer a regenerative, circular solution to tackle plastic waste and pollution.
They work to establish nature-based materials, such as plants and seaweeds, as a viable and mainstream means of replacing plastic.
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will take place in Nairobi next week to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
The group has set out three policy endorsements ahead of INC-3. This includes the call for a global and clear definition for plastic and non-plastic substitutes and an expanded criteria for circularity, that recognises natural polymer’s end of life benefits.
It also pushes for ambitious policies and incentives to phase out unnecessary plastics such as extended producer responsibility systems, taxes and levies.
It says measures will help scale the production and use of safe, sustainable natural polymer solutions made from abundant renewable resources.
Pierre Paslier, cofounder of Notpla, said: “We have come together to demonstrate the enormous potential for naturally sourced materials to transform industries reliant on conventional and single-use plastics.
“Our group will be the voice of this emerging industry and accelerate the adoption of natural polymers across many sectors and applications.”
Alexandra French, chief executive of Xampla, said: “We are proud to launch the Natural Polymers Group to speak with one voice about the potential of natural materials to eliminate plastic. Our Morro materials are a viable and market ready solution that can do things plastics never could. We urge those who are drafting the Treaty to recognise natural polymers as an essential part of a plastic free future.”
“The global treaty underway now is a pivotal chance to coordinate ambitious action to address the plastic crisis. We urge policymakers to leverage this opportunity to support natural solutions as the key solution to avoid plastic waste and pollution altogether, rather than relying solely on recycling or reuse of plastic,” added Pierre.
