Nexam Chemical and Verdofoam collaborate on lightweight materials in biobased plastics 

Nexam expands its lightweight product segment thanks to new advances in the production of expanded bioplastic.

This development opens up a variety of applications, such as packaging and insulation materials, based on renewable raw materials. Through close collaboration between Nexam Chemical and Verdofoam^®, a breakthrough has been achieved that makes it possible to replace fossil-based polystyrene in the type of foam used, for example, in e-commerce packaging.

Behind the breakthrough lies Nexam Chemicals’ unique additive technology, which makes it possible to expand biobased plastics such as PLA (polylactic acid) – something that has previously been a technical challenge. The result is a material with the same lightweight and shock-absorbing properties as traditional packaging foam, but made from renewable resources.

“This is a clear breakthrough. Being able to create biobased foam (PLA foam) opens up an entirely new market for us”, says Ronnie Törnqvist, CEO of Nexam Chemical. “We are demonstrating concretely how our technology can help reduce the climate footprint of plastics without compromising performance or functionality.”

Packaging foam is widely used to protect products during transport – for example, the small “beads” that fill empty spaces in boxes for e-commerce. The global volume of expanded polystyrene (EPS) used in packaging is estimated at around 5.8 million tonnes per year.

Based on typical emission factors of around 3–5 tonnes CO₂e per tonne of material, this corresponds to up to approximately 18–30 million tonnes of CO₂e annually. This equates to tens of billions of packages worldwide, based on global e-commerce and food packaging. Being able to now replace parts of this volume with biobased alternatives presents a significant opportunity to reduce fossil dependency and lower climate impact.

“With the help of Nexam Chemicals additives, we have now succeeded in producing a completely biobased foam with the right structure and properties”, says Hans-Erik Ouwehand, CEO of Verdofoam^®. “It is an important step towards more sustainable packaging solutions.”

The development marks an important step in Nexam Chemicals’ work to support the transition to more sustainable plastic materials. The company’s additives are used globally to improve and extend the lifespan of both recycled and biobased polymers.

Source

Bioplastics MAGAZINE, 2025-10-29.

Supplier

Nexam Chemical
Verdofoam

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