Our two-year KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) programme with Herriot Watt began in March 2020 with our KTP Associate Joel Kuhn exploring the effects and behaviours innovative polymers such as Hydropol have in marine environments and sustainability.
Whilst laboratories are understandably closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, work has been continuing through desk research and analysis of previous studies which is a standard part of such a studies.
The information gathered will form an invaluable foundation of Aquapak’s technical data and will underpin the work that will set-out an in-house laboratory for Aquapak to carry out ecotoxicological testing in future.
The project aims to scientifically validate the safety of Hydropol, which is formulated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as the base ingredient, making it 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
An important feature of Hydropol is the fact it won’t break down into harmful microplastics and can dissolve completely above certain temperatures (i.e. hot water ≥70oC/158oF; warm water at 40oC/ /104oF) thanks to its solubility. The polymer can in turn be recovered, re-pelletised and returned to manufacturers in a closed-loop system.
