Cordex and Polymateria Unveil Biocord: A Breakthrough in Sustainable Agriculture at Agritechnica 2023

Cordex, a global leader in crop packaging, has partnered with British innovators Polymateria to develop Biocord, the world's first baling twine with self-destructing plastic technology. This innovative solution will be presented at Agritechnica, Hannover, 2023.

Plastic is currently used in every phase of agricultural production, from nursery to post-harvest. Global agricultural sectors consume an estimated 2,250,000 tons of plastic annually, a weight equivalent to about half a million standard tractors. However, the versatility and durability of plastic come at a price.

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 wasted trimmings. This plastic degrades further into microplastics and accumulates in the soil over the years, affecting its quality and fertility by altering soil structure, bulk density, and water retention.

Biocord – originally developed for stretch-wrapped bales – is the WORLD'S FIRST synthetic polypropylene rope that is both recyclable and biodegradable.

The integration of Polymateria's unique self-destructing plastic technology ensures that Biocord maintains the strength, length and high performance of the PP baling twine the industry is accustomed to during use.

After use, the Biocord rope can be recycled, but if it ends up in the environment, it will transform into a bioavailable wax and return safely to nature without leaving any MICROPLASTICS behind.

Manuel Alberto, CEO of CORDEX, emphasizes the importance of this partnership: "We are seeing a global shift toward practices that harmonize with the land and nature. CORDEX is excited to launch Biocord, a sustainable, cost-effective bale twine solution for farmers willing to go the extra mile."

Niall Dunne, CEO of Polymateria, said: "At Polymateria, our mission is to combat plastic pollution through cutting-edge science. Biocord is the world's first baling twine solution that addresses the problem of volatile plastics in agriculture, and we're thrilled to introduce it to farmers who play a key role in conserving nature and managing our planet's resources."

The presence of microplastics as pollutants has harmful effects on soil, surface, and subsurface water supplies, leading to microplastics entering the food system and ultimately threatening human health and food security. As planetary resources diminish, solutions like Biocord offer hope for healthier soil and a cleaner world.

About Cordex At Cordex, a global company with a rich history dating back to the 1960s, we are proud to be a trusted leader in agricultural crop packaging products. Our evolution from cotton production to our current focus on agricultural netting and stretch film underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Cordex has divisions such as CORDEXAGRI, CORDEXAQUA, and CORDEXPRO that serve 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-focused leader, continuously integrate sustainable practices, and offer a complete range of products to meet the diverse needs of our global audience.

About Polymateria: Polymateria aims to harness scientific advances to address the problem of plastic pollution. Founded at Imperial College London, the company is the first entity to demonstrate, through scientific evidence, that the most common sources of unmanaged plastic waste can be returned to nature without generating microplastics, negatively impacting the ecosystem, or disrupting large-scale recycling processes. As a result of its efforts to promote circularity and combat plastic pollution, Polymateria was honored as a Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2021.