Over 65 percent of consumers seek clean ingredients in their beauty purchases, citing a desire to find more sustainable alternatives as a reason.
Despite the UK’s 2018 ban on exfoliating plastic microbeads in cosmetics products, microplastics from other sources including thickeners, film-forming agents and stabilisers continue to be prevalent.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reports that almost half of the 8,700 tonnes of microplastics found in cosmetics are leached into the environment each year.
In response to this rising pollution, a new material has been created, with the potential to eliminate 8,700 tonnes of microplastics used in cosmetics in Europe.
AggiePol by Teysha Technologies biodegrades into natural, non-harmful sugars and has received a Certificate of Biodegradability following successful OECD 310 testing.
A specialist in biodegradable polymers from natural sources, Teysha Technologies has promised to significantly reduce microplastic waste in the cosmetics industry with this new material, engaging with large multinationals to roll out AggiePol as an alternative to petroleum-based polycarbonate plastics.
Teysha Technologies has tested AggiePol compounds and formulas to fit various product lines, production techniques and customer requirements.
Dr Karen Wooley, inventor and chief technology officer at Teysha Technologies, said, “The integration of biodegradable materials like AggiePol in cosmetics not only meets the growing consumer demand for sustainable products but also sets a new standard for the industry.
"We are excited to be leading the way in making beauty products safer for both consumers and the environment."