Biome Bioplastics, a UK based company, has been working on bioplastics for over 20 years. In 2012, it designed a new, low viscosity biopolymer that can be used for coating paper, board, and film. 

 

In 2013, Biome used lignin as a new source of organic chemicals by applying bacteria for bioplastics manufacturing and significantly reduced costs and increased performance of these sustainable materials. More importantly, the breakdown pathway could now be controlled and improved using synthetic biology. Crucially, several organic chemicals have been produced.

 

In 2014, the company developed a biodegradable plastic made from plant starches for 3D printing. By combining easy processing, superior silk-like surface finishes, reduced brittleness, increased flexibility, and faster print speeds were obtained. 3D printing, by itself, has been heralded as an important step towards more sustainable manufacturing. It reduces transport emissions from lighter materials that can be developed closer to point of purchase, allows for more efficient use of raw materials, and reduces the number of parts needed for assembly. It becomes an ideal solution when biodegradable plastic is used for printing.   [citation T4.9]