Cordex and Polymateria Unveil Biocord: A Breakthrough in Sustainable Agriculture at LAMMA Show 2024

Cordex, a world leader in crop packaging, working with British innovators Polymateria have collaborated to present Biocord, the world's first baler twine with self-destructing plastic technology. This innovative solution will be showcased at the Lamma Show in Birmingham, UK, on January 17th and 18th, 2024.

Plastic is currently used at every stage of agricultural production, from nursery to post harvest. Agriculture-related sectors worldwide are estimated to consume 2,250,000 tons of plastics per year, a weight equivalent to approximately 1/2 million standard tractors. However, the versatility and durability of plastic comes at a cost.

For every 10,000 bales of hay or silage produced, at least 25 to 30 kg of plastic ends up in the field due to lost offcuts. This plastic further breaks down into microplastic and accumulates in soil over the years, affecting its quality and fertility by altering soil structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity.

Biocord – initially developed for stretch-wrapped bales – is the WORLDS FIRST synthetic polypropylene twine to be both recyclable and biodegradable.

The integration of Polymateria’s unique self-destructing plastic technology ensures that Biocord, throughout its usage, maintains the PP baler twine’s strength, length, and high performance that the industry is accustomed to.

After its use, Biocord twine can be recycled, however, if it escapes into the environment, it will transform into a bio available wax and safely return to nature leaving NO MICROPLASTICS behind.

CORDEX CEO Manuel Alberto, underlines the significance of this collaboration, “We are seeing a shift around the world towards practices that work in harmony with the land and nature. CORDEX are excited to launch Biocord, a sustainable cost-effective baler twine solution for farmers who are looking to take that extra step.”

Polymateria CEO, Niall Dunne, said, "Our mission at Polymateria is to combat plastic pollution through cutting-edge science. Biocord is the worlds first baler twine solution that addresses the issue of fugitive plastic in the agricultural sector, and we are very excited to bring it to the farmers who play a key role in preserving nature and managing our planetary resources."

The presence of microplastics as pollutants has detrimental effects on the soil, surface, and underground water resources through which microplastics also reach the food system and ultimately threaten human health and food security. As planetary resources shrink, solutions like Biocord provide hope for a healthier soil and a cleaner world.

About Cordex

At Cordex, a global company with a rich history since the 1960s, we pride ourselves on being a trusted leader in agricultural crop packaging products. Our evolution from cotton production to our current focus on agricultural netwrap and stretch film highlights our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Cordex has divisions like CORDEXAGRI, CORDEXAQUA, and CORDEXPRO that cater to a diverse range of industries, from agriculture and fishing to sports and leisure. With over 800 employees and a presence across continents, our mission is to deliver exceptional customer experiences, prioritize sustainability, and embrace digital transformation. Our goal for the future is to strengthen our position as a customer-centric leader, continuously integrating sustainable practices and offering a complete line of products to meet the varied needs of our global audience.

About Polymateria 

Polymateria aims to utilise scientific advancements to address the issue of plastic pollution. Established at Imperial College London, the company has become the first entity to demonstrate, through scientific evidence, that the most prevalent sources of unmanaged plastic waste can be returned to nature without generating microplastics, negatively impacting the ecosystem or disrupting recycling processes on a large scale. As a result of its efforts to promote circularity and combat plastic pollution, Polymateria was honoured as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer in 2021. 

Join us at LAMMA Show, NEC Birmingham, on Jan 17-18, 2024, Hall 7, Stand 464. Experience the future of agriculture!

For more information:   

Luis Ferreira, Marketing Manager - Cordex

Email : luis_ferreira@cordex.com

David Hart, Cordex UK sales Manager

Email : david_hart@cordex.com

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