The Vancouver venture-capital funded start-up said its Traverse Biocomposites can be used in injection-molded toys, automotive parts and consumer goods, which will still have "the durability and strength of oil-based alternatives." Solegear Bioplastic's Traverse line is made with either virgin or recycled prime polypropylene or other traditional thermoplastics, and uses natural fibres â wood, hemp, bamboo and rice husk - to create a high tensile, durable and sustainable injection mouldable solution.
"Traverse is a pragmatic step towards totally biodegradable plastic products,"said Edward Trueman, Solegear CEO, whose firm also offers a Polysole biodegradable plastic made from corn. Traverse, says Trueman, allows a manufacturer of a "brand to market its investment in sustainable and recyclable solutions."
Founded in 2006, Solegear said it has used the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia for testing and rheological analysis since 2007 and has received support from the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program for the last three years.
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