Hera Materials
Atacama Biomaterials, an MIT spinout, is developing sustainable polymers and composites from diverse, local raw materials. Their flagship product is Woodpack (WPk), a recycled paper-based flexible film designed to replace single-use plastic packaging with lower costs and zero CO2 emissions. WPk utilizes an AI-driven system for real-time formulation refinement, ensuring consistent quality, reduced production costs, and a minimal carbon footprint (11% of traditional plastics' energy). This AI model overcomes the challenge of biobased feedstock variability. WPk is 100% bio-based, uses a low-temperature polymerization process making it cost-competitive with traditional plastics, and is home-compostable and recyclable like paper. It can be coated with aluminum (plastic-free) and heat-sealed on standard packaging lines, offering the environmental benefits of paper with the high performance of plastics. The company aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable materials into global circular economies.
Hera Materials
Atacama Biomaterials, an MIT spinout, is developing sustainable polymers and composites from diverse, local raw materials. Their flagship product is Woodpack (WPk), a recycled paper-based flexible film designed to replace single-use plastic packaging with lower costs and zero CO2 emissions. WPk utilizes an AI-driven system for real-time formulation refinement, ensuring consistent quality, reduced production costs, and a minimal carbon footprint (11% of traditional plastics' energy). This AI model overcomes the challenge of biobased feedstock variability. WPk is 100% bio-based, uses a low-temperature polymerization process making it cost-competitive with traditional plastics, and is home-compostable and recyclable like paper. It can be coated with aluminum (plastic-free) and heat-sealed on standard packaging lines, offering the environmental benefits of paper with the high performance of plastics. The company aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable materials into global circular economies.