Polymateria
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Polymateria firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Polymateria
- Legal name
- Polymateria Limited
- Website
- https://polymateria.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Polymateria industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biodegradable Plastic Additives
- NAICS
- Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211), Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)
- SIC
- Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers) (IMAEAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bioplastics Compounding & Masterbatch (bio-based additives, colorants, fillers) (IMANANAB), Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)
Keywords
Where Polymateria is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Polymateria business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Masterbatch Licensing and Technology Licensing: Polymateria licenses its proprietary Biotransformation masterbatch technology to plastic converters, manufacturers, and brands. The technology is sold as a formulation that can be 'dropped in' to existing plastic resin during manufacturing. Revenue is generated through licensing fees based on usage volume (loading rate of approximately 2% weight percentage).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke Masterbatch (B2B Licensing) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Polymateria product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Polymateria develops and licenses the Lyfecycle Biotransformation technology, a proprietary masterbatch additive deployed at approximately 2% weight concentration into plastic resin during manufacturing. The technology enables conventional polyolefin packaging to fully biodegrade in open natural environments within 1-2 years into water, CO2, and biomass, leaving no microplastics or toxic residues, while remaining fully recyclable and dormant during intended product service life. The masterbatch is sold B2B to plastic converters, manufacturers, petrochemical companies, and consumer brands across multiple packaging applications.
Product overview
Polymateria offers Lyfecycle, a unified biotransformation technology platform formulated as a proprietary Bespoke Masterbatch. The technology enables conventional plastic packaging to fully biodegrade into water, CO2, and biomass within 1-2 years if it escapes into the natural environment, without creating microplastics or toxic residues. The masterbatch is 'dropped in' at ~2% concentration during plastic manufacturing with no changes to existing production processes. The time-controlled feature preserves recyclability while enabling a 'Recycle By' date to encourage responsible disposal. Applications span multiple flexible packaging formats including toilet paper bags, flower sleeves, produce bags, confectionary wrappers, bread bags, detergent bottles, drinking straws, thin wall containers, drinking cups, garment polybags, stretch film, and shrink wrap—all powered by the same Lyfecycle core technology. The company has partnered with major brands including ZUS Coffee, Dunkin' Donuts, Kopi Kenangan, Twickenham Rugby Stadium, Chicago Marathon, and 7-ELEVEN Taiwan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Lyfecycle: The world's first self-destructing plastic technology that safely returns to nature after a year if not recycled first, leaving only earth-friendly wax that becomes part of the next cycle of life.
Products and services
- Lyfecycle Biotransformation Technology World's first self-destructing plastic technology that fully biodegrades in natural environments within 1-2 years into water, CO2, and biomass if not recycled first, leaving no microplastics or toxic residues. Time-controlled mechanism enables customizable product service life and a 'Recycle By' date, fully compatible with existing recycling streams. Sold as a proprietary masterbatch to plastic converters, manufacturers, and consumer brands.
- Polymateria Bespoke Masterbatch
- Lyfecycle Toilet Paper Bag Biodegradable toilet paper bag application using Lyfecycle technology, achieving greater than 90% biodegradation in less than a year per PAS 9017:2020 standard.
- Lyfecycle Produce Bags Biodegradable produce bag application, 14 micron thickness using blown film extrusion, achieving 97.5% biodegradation.
- Lyfecycle Flower Sleeves Biodegradable flower sleeve packaging application using extrusion and biorientation manufacturing process, 25 micron thickness.
- Lyfecycle Confectionary Wrappers & Labels Biodegradable three-layer and five-layer BOPP confectionary wrappers and labels, 25 micron thickness.
- Lyfecycle Bread Bags Biodegradable bread bag range including 3-layered films, multi-layer PP+PE films, and multi-layer PE films.
- Lyfecycle Detergent Bottle Biodegradable detergent bottle, 800 micron injection moulded PP, achieving 98.8% molecular weight reduction.
- Lyfecycle Drinking Straws Biodegradable drinking straw range including straws and straw sleeves using die extrusion and blown film processes.
- Lyfecycle Thin Wall Containers Biodegradable thin wall PP containers including dessert pots, noodle pots, and ice cream tubs using thermoforming and injection moulding.
- Lyfecycle Drinking Cups Biodegradable drinking cup range from 0.2L to 0.5L using thermoformed and injection moulded processes.
- Lyfecycle Garment Polybags Biodegradable garment polybag range including thick polyethylene bags, thin bags, and clothing label tags.
- Lyfecycle Stretch Film Biodegradable stretch film for packaging applications, 20 micron cast film extrusion.
- Lyfecycle Shrink Wrap Biodegradable shrink wrap range including mono-layer, multi-layer, and HDPE-containing variants, plus bubble wrap.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% biodegradation on rigid plastic container in 336 days; film material in 266 days under mesophilic conditions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Polymateria
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Polymateria technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Polymateria partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Oando Clean Energy LimitedminorOando Clean Energy hosted Nigeria's Minister of Environment and explored partnerships using Polymateria's biodegradable additive technology. Meeting focused on integration into existing plastic manufacturing processes and addressing Nigeria's plastic pollution challenge.
- Toling CorporationcoreLeading distributor of commodity and engineering plastic materials in Malaysia with 30+ years of industry experience. Becomes Polymateria's exclusive distributor in Malaysia, accelerating rollout through Toling's unrivalled network of plastic manufacturers. Partnership signed by Toling Corp's GM Kathy Heng and Polymateria's CEO Richard Horne.
- LOTTE Chemical Titan (M) SDNmajorMoU to develop next generation biodegradable plastic resin using Polymateria's Biotransformation technology. LCT is Malaysia's first standalone polyolefins producer and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Both parties will work toward developing a new biodegradable resin with the technology for Malaysian market.
- FiberVisions and AvgolminorPartnership to bring biotransformation technology to fibers and non-woven applications, extending technology beyond traditional packaging.
- Imperial College LondonmajorJoint development partner. Polymateria was established at Imperial College and continues to operate from the White City Innovation District. Company developed technology in collaboration with the institution's scientists from chemistry, biology and polymer science fields.
- Extreme EminorAll-electric off-road racing series using Polymateria's technology for plastic cups and flexible films at global X Prix events. Products safely biodegrade if they escape into natural environment during events.
- 7-ELEVEN Taiwanminor7-ELEVEN Taiwan uses Polymateria's biotransformation technology in a range of takeaway food packaging applications under the Cycle+ brand.
- Pour Les FemmesminorEthical fashion brand founded by Robin Wright and Karen Fowler. First apparel brand to introduce Polymateria's technology into its packaging.
- Clariant (now Avient)majorPartnership with specialty chemical company (now part of Avient) to bring Biotransformation technology to South East Asia and India. Includes MoU with Indian Government through CIPET for testing and validation in India market.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Polymateria competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NatureWorks: World's largest PLA biopolymer producer (Ingeo brand) used across packaging, foodservice, and consumer goods applications. Directly comparable as a biodegradable polymer technology provider serving converters and brand owners seeking sustainable packaging substitutes.
- Tipa: Israel-based developer of compostable flexible packaging films for food and fashion. Directly comparable to Polymateria in targeting flexible plastic packaging converters and consumer brands with biodegradable packaging solutions.
- Danimer Scientific: US-listed developer of Nodax PHA bioplastics used in biodegradable packaging, foodservice, and consumer products. Directly comparable as a biodegradable polymer technology company addressing plastic pollution through bio-based resins.
- Novamont: Italian bioplastics company and pioneer of Mater-Bi biodegradable/compostable resins for packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods. Closely comparable to Polymateria as a specialty biodegradable plastics technology provider targeting packaging converters and brands with sustainable material solutions.
- TotalEnergies Corbion: Joint venture producing Luminy PLA resins for packaging, foodservice, and durables. Directly comparable to Polymateria as a producer of bio-based/biodegradable polymer inputs targeted at converters seeking drop-in sustainable alternatives.
Emerging players
- Carbios: French biotech company developing enzymatic recycling and biodegradation technologies for PET and PLA. Comparable as an emerging player in advanced plastic circularity and biodegradation technologies, addressing the same end-customer base of brands seeking to manage plastic pollution.
- CJ CheilJedang: South Korean conglomerate with a growing PHA bioplastics business (PHACT) targeting packaging applications. Comparable as an emerging player commercializing bio-based biodegradable polymers for converters and brand owners.
- Aquapak Polymers: UK-based developer of Hydropol, a biodegradable and water-soluble polymer technology for packaging. Comparable as an emerging specialty polymer company offering drop-in sustainable packaging solutions to converters.
Broad incumbents
- Braskem (I'm green): Latin American petrochemical major producing I'm green bio-based polyethylene made from sugarcane. Broadly comparable as a large incumbent offering bio-based plastic resin alternatives to converters and brand owners seeking sustainable packaging inputs.
- BASF (Ecovio / Ecoflex): Global chemical major producing Ecovio compostable plastics and Ecoflex biodegradable polyesters. Broadly comparable as a large incumbent offering biodegradable plastic resins as part of a much wider polymer portfolio serving packaging and agricultural applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Polymateria social profiles
Digital presencePolymateria compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Polymateria financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Polymateria leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles27 records
Polymateria funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Polymateria M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Polymateria
What does Polymateria do?
Polymateria develops and licenses the Lyfecycle Biotransformation technology, a proprietary masterbatch additive deployed at approximately 2% weight concentration into plastic resin during manufacturing. The technology enables conventional polyolefin packaging to fully biodegrade in open natural environments within 1-2 years into water, CO2, and biomass, leaving no microplastics or toxic residues, while remaining fully recyclable and dormant during intended product service life. The masterbatch is sold B2B to plastic converters, manufacturers, petrochemical companies, and consumer brands across multiple packaging applications.
Is Polymateria a public or private company?
Polymateria is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Polymateria founded?
Polymateria was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Polymateria based?
Polymateria is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Polymateria make money?
One revenue line is on record: masterbatch Licensing and Technology Licensing.
Who are Polymateria's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NatureWorks, Tipa, Danimer Scientific, Novamont and TotalEnergies Corbion. Emerging players are Carbios, CJ CheilJedang and Aquapak Polymers. Broad incumbents are Braskem (I'm green) and BASF (Ecovio / Ecoflex).
Does Polymateria have an API?
No public API is recorded for Polymateria.
What industry is Polymateria in?
Polymateria's product category is Biodegradable Plastic Additives. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAOAD, Biodegradable Additives & Masterbatches (pro-oxidant-free, bio-based modifiers), with a secondary code of IMANANAB, Bioplastics Compounding & Masterbatch (bio-based additives, colorants, fillers). Its NAICS code is 325211 and its SIC code is 2821.