Fortum Recycling & Waste, recently sold to Summa Equity through portfolio company NG Group, proudly presents INGA: the world’s first biodegradable plastic made entirely from carbon dioxide. INGA utilizes the value of carbon dioxide emissions by creating raw materials that can revolutionize plastic production – without fossils and without microplastics.
“It’s time to rethink plastic production and move away from fossil raw materials. There is a constantly growing need in the world for high-quality and responsible plastics that can be used everywhere, and that meet the requirements related to hygiene, color, feel and protective properties. INGA not only meets these requirements, but it is also biodegradable and does not leave microplastics behind. INGA has the same quality characteristics as virgin plastics,” says Tony Rehn , head of the INGA development team at Fortum Recycling & Waste.
“In October 2024, we announced the first INGA sample resulting from the Carbon2x program – the world’s first biodegradable plastic made entirely from CO₂. This breakthrough was a significant milestone, and we are now looking for partners on our journey towards the commercialization of INGA. Our goal is for the first products made from INGA plastic to be market during this decade,” Rehn continues.
A unique combination of responsibility, safety and extensive features
INGA is a PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) material, which means that it is naturally biodegradable when tested according to standardized and certified methods. The mechanical properties of PHA materials can be modified in many ways, making them versatile.
INGA plastic meets the needs and requirements of various applications. INGA’s inherent stiffness and durability are properties that make it suitable for materials such as for electronic devices, toys and cosmetic packaging. Thanks to its excellent protective properties, including low water and oxygen permeability and high grease resistance, INGA is a safe and durable solution for food packaging as well.
INGA’s CO₂-based production continues the long history of innovation in the development of PHA materials. By combining PHA polymers with additives and fillers, a polyester plastic can be created that is
- hydrophobic , which means that INGA is water-repellent, has good protective properties and does not dissolve in water
- thermoplastic i.e. thermoformable, which means that INGA can be melted and reshaped, so it is recyclable
- biodegradable in all tested environments: seawater, fresh water, soil, household composting, landfill, anaerobic digestion and industrial composting
- malleable and suitable for various processing methods such as extrusion, injection molding and dispersion coating.
“INGA means ‘nothing’ in Swedish. The name suggests that nothing new is needed to manufacture plastic. INGA material is aimed at environmentally conscious pioneering companies that want to make an impact, but are not ready to compromise on the quality or aesthetics of the products they manufacture,” explains Rehn.
Carbon recycling complements mechanical recycling and bio-based plastics
Global plastic demand is expected to triple by 2050, while plastic recycling is growing woefully slowly: only 9% of annual plastic waste was recycled globally in 2023, according to both the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the UN. In addition, it should be noted that not all plastic can be mechanically recycled into new material. Bio-based plastic production, on the other hand, is limited by the availability of available raw materials, such as wood, sugar beet, sugar cane and vegetable oils.
Therefore, new solutions must be developed to enable sustainable plastic production.
“We want to promote the recycling of materials comprehensively. We believe that INGA is a pioneer in the new category of responsible plastics. Mechanical plastic recycling and bio-based solutions are still needed, but new, complementary solutions are also needed,” explains Rehn.
Fortum Recycling & Waste has extensive experience in plastic recycling and the company has been manufacturing Circo® recycling plastic from consumer plastic packaging since 2016. Circo recycled plastic is available in many different compounds, so it offers a versatile and responsible alternative to virgin plastic, with Circo’s carbon footprint on average less than half that of virgin plastic.
Biodegradable, CO₂-based INGA plastic is an upcoming novelty in Fortum Recycling & Waste’s product range. INGA can be recycled like many other plastics, which closes the carbon cycle. An additional advantage of biodegradable plastic is that even if it ends up in nature by accident, it breaks down and does not leave harmful microplastics in the environment.
INGA will be available to a wider audience in the coming years, and its industrial production is expected to begin by the end of the decade.