The pursuit of plastic alternatives that preserve usefulness while cutting environmental impact continues, and Spain stands at the forefront of several breakthroughs. Researchers at the University of Alicante (UA) have unveiled a water-soluble plastic material derived from potato starch, designed for packaging applications. The university notes that this material does not contaminate marine environments and offers practical use in flexible packaging solutions.
Developed by UA’s Waste, Energy, Environment and Nanotechnology REMAN research group, the new material is slated for near-term market entry. Solublion, a technology‑driven company affiliated with the Alicante Science Park and part of the UA ecosystem, is positioned to bring this innovation to commercial reality.
The product is also compostable and biodegradable, making it suitable for flexible films, including bags and packaging. Chemical engineering experts highlight the material’s advantages over traditional plastics, emphasizing improved environmental performance and adaptability for different packaging needs. These claims are supported by ongoing testing that demonstrates stability and a low tendency to migrate into surrounding environments, ensuring safer use in contact with foods and other products.
Tracing its origins to the doctoral work that laid the groundwork for this technology, the program has evolved into a full-scale effort to reduce plastic waste and minimize long-term ecological footprints. The initiative centers on a starch-based thermoplastic that can replace conventional plastics in many applications while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing and recycling streams.
Thorough assessments indicate that the shift away from conventional plastics is driven by rising awareness of waste management challenges and the environmental costs of disposable materials. Prior to recent events, global plastic consumption hovered around vast figures, and projections point toward further growth in packaging demand. The emphasis now is on materials that offer similar performance with reduced persistence in natural ecosystems.
Experts project a notable increase in demand for biodegradable plastics by the end of the decade as consumers and industries seek sustainable options. In this context, the UA release emphasizes that the new starch-based material exhibits high stability under typical usage conditions and low migration, reinforcing its suitability for applications in packaging and disposable products. The researchers assert that their technology can be adapted to a wide spectrum of mechanical properties, allowing manufacturers to tailor solutions to specific packaging requirements while maintaining environmental responsibility.
The overarching aim is to provide direct replacements for traditional plastics in the packaging sector, enabling safer disposal and reduced ecological impact. By combining biodegradability with practical performance, the new material seeks to address both consumer expectations and regulatory pressures, presenting a viable path toward more sustainable packaging systems.