Presenting INGA: the next generation of sustainable plastics made from CO₂ emissions
FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 11 November 2024, 12.00 EET
Fortum Recycling & Waste, a leading company in circular solutions and waste management, proudly presents INGA: the world’s first biodegradable plastic born entirely from CO₂. INGA captures the value of CO₂ emissions to create raw materials that can revolutionise plastic production – fossil-free and without microplastics.
“It is time to rethink plastic production and move away from fossil feedstock. There is an ever-increasing need for high-quality sustainable plastics that can be used everywhere and that meet the set requirements, whether it be hygiene, colour, haptic or barrier properties. Not only does INGA answer all of those demands, but it is also biodegradable and does not leave any microplastics behind. In terms of quality, INGA has the same properties as virgin plastics,” says Tony Rehn, head of the INGA development team at Fortum Recycling & Waste.
“In October 2024, we announced that we have succeeded in producing the first sample of INGA – the world’s first biodegradable plastic born entirely from CO₂. This breakthrough was a major milestone, and we are now looking for partners on our journey towards commercialising INGA. Our goal is to have the first products made of INGA plastics on the market within this decade,” Rehn continues.
Unmatched combination of sustainability, safety and a broad property window
INGA is a PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) material, which means that it is biodegradable. The mechanical properties of PHAs can be modified in many ways, making them a versatile material.
INGA plastic meets the needs and requirements of various applications. INGA's inherent rigidity and durability make it suitable for electronic appliances, toys and cosmetics packaging. With excellent barrier properties, including low water and oxygen transmission rates and high grease resistance, INGA provides a safe and sustainable solution for food packaging.
The CO₂-based production of INGA continues the long line of innovative PHA development. Combining PHA polymers with additives and fillers enables creating a polyester plastic that is
- hydrophobic, which means it has water barrier resistance and does not dissolve in water
- thermoplastic, which means it can be melted and reshaped, making it recyclable
- biodegradable in all tested environments: marine, fresh water, soil, home composting, landfill, anaerobic digestion and industrial composting
- malleable and suitable for different processing methods like extrusion, injection moulding and dispersion coating.
“INGA means nothing or none in Swedish. The name refers to the fact that nothing new needs to be used to make the plastic. Products made of INGA will be aimed at environmentally conscious forerunners who want to make an impact but are not willing to compromise on the quality or aesthetics of the products they use,” Rehn explains.
Carbon recycling complements mechanical recycling and bio-based plastics
The global demand for plastics is expected to grow threefold by 2050 while the recycling of plastic is increasing at an unfortunately slow rate: only 9% of annual plastic waste was recycled globally in 2023, according to both the European Environment Agency and the United Nations. Furthermore, some of the plastic cannot be mechanically recycled into a new material. Bio-based plastic production is limited by the availability of raw materials such as wood, sugar beet, sugar cane and vegetable oils.
Therefore, new solutions must be developed for sustainable plastic production.
“We want to promote the circulation of materials comprehensively. We believe that INGA will break the ground for a whole new category of responsible plastics, though mechanical recycling of plastics and bio-based solutions are still needed," Rehn clarifies.
Fortum Recycling & Waste is a forerunner of recycled plastic, and the company has been producing Circo® plastic recyclate from post-consumer plastic waste since 2016. Circo recycled plastic is available in several compounds, offering companies a versatile alternative for virgin plastic with a carbon footprint, on average, less than half of that of virgin granulates.
The biodegradable, CO₂-based INGA plastic is an upcoming novelty in the company’s product portfolio. INGA can be recycled just like many other plastics, closing the carbon cycle. An additional advantage of biodegradable plastic is that even if it ends up in nature by accident, it decomposes and does not leave harmful microplastics in the environment. INGA will be available to wider audiences in the coming years. The industrial production of INGA is expected to start by the end of the decade.
We are looking for a partner – meet us at Greener Manufacturing Conference & Expo
Are you as excited about INGA’s potential as we are? We are showcasing INGA at the Greener Manufacturing Conference & Expo in Cologne, Germany, on 13–14 November. Come meet us at our stand C20 to experience the new plastics brand for a circular future!
Contact us to learn more about cooperation opportunities.
Further information
Tony Rehn, Head of the INGA development team at Fortum
Tel: +358 40 4855 857
Email: tony.rehn@fortum.com
Read more:
www.ingaplastics.com
World’s first biodegradable plastic produced from CO2 emissions in Finland | Fortum
Fortum Recycling & Waste
Fortum Recycling & Waste is Rethinking Recycling and leading the way towards a revolution in materials. Solving problems is in our DNA, and our mission is to transform waste streams back to essential raw materials. Our role is to find solutions to our customers’ environmental and waste challenges to enable circularity of materials.
Fortum Recycling & Waste operates in the Nordics, offering environmentally friendly waste management and hazardous waste treatment. Additionally, we provide recycling services for materials - including solutions for plastics, metals, as well as ash and slag residues. We employ approximately 900 people.
Fortum Recycling & Waste was recently acquired by Summa Equity through its portfolio company NG Group. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Read more: Fortum Recycling & Waste | Fortum
