An $8-million bioplastics facility has opened in Western Australia.

Located in Perth, the Bioplastics Innovation Hub is a collaboration between Australia’s national science agency the CSRIO and Murdoch University. The aim of the hub is to bring together industry and research organisations to identify commercial pathways for compostable plastics.

By accelerating the production of new 100% biodegradable plastics, it’s hoped the hub will help the federal government meet its goal of reducing the total waste generated in Australia by 10% per person by 2030.

“Compostable plastic is on the frontline for the war on plastic waste, and the Bioplastics Innovation Hub will be HQ,” Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science said.

Plastic pollution and fossil fuel depletion is driving an increased demand for compostable bioplastics. The new hub will equip Australia’s plastics industry with the tools and expertise required to manufacture materials to drive a plastic waste green economy, said Dr Andy Whitely – CSRIO research program director.

“Our primary focus is the development of 100% compostable, bio-derived packaging for use as sprays, films, bottles, caps and wrappers which are engineered to fully breakdown in compost, land and aquatic environments.”

Murdoch University deputy vice chancellor research & innovation Professor Peter Eastwood said managing the growing plastic waste crisis requires cutting-edge solutions – including production of bioplastics.

“Together with CSRIO, Murdoch University will fast-track the production of novel compostable bioplastic and introduce a green plastic to the market which will significantly minimise the requirement for non-sustainable plastic production.”

The hub – based at Murdoch University’s main campus –will also establish an advanced biomanufacturing sector in Australia, added Professor Eastwood. “The outcomes of this project will boost the capability of Australia for commercial production of compostable plastics,” he said.

WA-based Ecopha Biotechnology – which converts food waste into compostable water bottles – is partnering with the facility.

“Ecopha Biotech’s role is to ensure that the new ideas and technologies developed from the hub are successfully commercialised, contributing to a more sustainable future for Australia,” its CEO Dr Wilson Ling said.

Spiegare Consulting and BioRa Biorenewable Alternatives are also supplying the hub with technology to replace chemical additives used within the moulding and forming of plastic with environmentally-friendly bioadditives.

“We’re one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastic in the world, but we only recycle 14% of it. Converting our food wrappers and drink containers from forever plastics to biodegradable plastics will attack the waste problem at its source,” Mr Husic said. “If we get this right, we won’t just be removing millions of tonnes of microplastics from our environment, we’ll be tapping into a growing global market for these products, creating a new industry and the jobs that go with it.”