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Home of PHA
Helian Polymers is the leading provider of PHA (PolyHydroxyAlkanoates) in Europe distributing parent PHA building blocks in small volumes from 25 kg and bulk up to 50+ tons.
Our mission is to assist brands and compounders in developing sustainable alternatives to plastic using PHA. In addition to distributing PHA in larger quantities, we also offer a variety of raw or blended PHA in small amounts, facilitating fast and low-risk innovation. Moreover, we provide R&D services, as well as in-house compounding and testing capabilities. To help you make the sustainable move.
Plastics should not be in your blood.
Plastic pollution breaks down into microplastics due to natural factors such as wind, sunlight, and waves. These tiny particles have become widespread, contaminating our food, water, and even the air we breathe. The problem is that these plastics, no matter how small, do not disappear. Fossil-based plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose.
A recent study even discovered plastics in the blood of 17 out of 22 healthy blood donors. Dick Vethaak, a professor emeritus of ecotoxicology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and co-author of the blood study, doesn’t consider his results alarming, exactly—“but, yes, we should be concerned. Plastics should not be in your blood.”
Moving away from toxic materials
We don’t want
our kids to drink
microplastics.
Helian used to operate as a traditional fossil plastics company. However, we have made the decision to step up to a more conscious and less harmful approach to material production.
Plastic production has seen a significant increase in recent years, with 50% of all plastics ever manufactured being produced in the last 15 years. This rapid growth is expected to continue, with production projected to double by 2050.
The consequences of this escalating production are unsettling, particularly in terms of plastic waste and its impact on the environment.
What is PHA?
PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) is made through a process called bacterial fermentation. In this process, microorganisms such as bacteria produce PHA as a storage material when they are grown on renewable carbon sources like sugars or plant oils. The microorganisms convert the carbon sources into PHA, which can then be extracted and purified for various applications.
PHA has similar versatility to traditional plastics, allowing for a wide range of applications. However, what sets PHA apart is its ability to biodegrade completely, leaving no trace of harmful microplastics in the environment.
We love PHA.
- Using PHA decreases the likelihood of your products causing harm to people, wildlife, or the environment.
- PHA is a natural and sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics.
- PHA biodegrades completely, leaving no microplastics in the environment.
- PHA offers the same versatility as traditional plastics, allowing for a wide range of applications.
What others say about PHA
- We provide start-up amounts of raw or blended PHA from stock.
- We offer R&D services, with compounding and testing facilities in-house, to develop your own PHA blends.
- We distribute PHA in quantities up to 50+ tons, to scale your applications.
Order a batch of Raw PHA building blocks. Try one of our premium PHAradox blends. Or let us assist you on your journey.
Helian Polymers is the European distributor for various PHA producers, supplying all these types in both small and large volumes.
Four types are generally available in both powder and pellet forms:
- PHB: Poly Hydroxy Butyrate (P3HB)
- PHBV: Poly Hydroxy Butyrate – co – 3 Hydroxy Valerate (P3HB3HV)
- PHBH : Poly Hydroxy Butyrate – co – 3 Hydroxy Hexanoate (P3HB3HH)
- P34HB: Poly Hydroxy Butyrate – co – 4 Hydroxy Butyrate (P3HB4HB)
Prices range from 7 to 20 euros per kg, depending on the quantity. Most Raw PHAs are available from stock.
In our in-house R&D department, we are constantly developing and testing new PHA formulations for different processing methods. These include injection molding, film production, blow molding, and extrusion coating. We refer to this range of formulations as our PHAradox family.
So far, we’ve created over 350 blends, each offering a variety of properties. These include flexible/tough materials, high modulus, and high-temperature resistant materials.
We can provide quantities ranging from 20 kg volumes up to several tons. The price range is 7 to 20 euros per kg, depending on quantity. PHAradox compounds are available in pellets/granulates only.
In response to your ever challenging material needs, we gladly offer a wide range of services to ensure client satisfaction:
- Toll compounding services and bespoke blends
- Application development services
- Analytical testing services
- Injection molding trials
- Sheet or film test production
- Online or onsite PHA consultancy
We offer many more services and would be glad to provide a detailed quote.
We speak your language
Due to their unique natural properties, PHA blends may behave differently compared to traditional chemical counterparts. However, our team performs extensive laboratory testing to ensure the desired outcomes. With more than 15 years of experience in the plastics industry, we are familiar with the processes and challenges associated with each technique.
Sustainable Development Goals
PHA biopolymers provide solutions that are in line with several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, specifically SDGs 12, 13, and 14.
Max Sandherr, CTO/COO
Sustainable Packaging Group GmbH
María José Jiménez Pardo, Project manager
ITENE
Ferran Martí Ferrer, Ph.D. Head of Research and Development AIMPLAS
Peter Westveer, Commercial director
Eurobottle Flestic Holding
Bas Pot, Global Account Manager
Wittenburg - Witcom - Xunfeng
Our choices matter now more than ever.
Frequently asked questions
A good definition would be ‘A biobased or biodegradable plastic or polymer derived from biological substances rather than from petroleum’.
The degradation time depends on many factors like; temperature, humidity, microbial activity and wall thickness of the product. In composting conditions this can be a matter of days or weeks. In marine environments it will take several years for PHA to fully decompose, without leaving any microplastic particles.
This should be no problem, if the bottle is kept in a dry place, away from bacteria.
Biobased means derived from natural, plant-based resources.
Biodegradable plastics means plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
Biodegradable plastics are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, micro-organisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of all three.
There is a vast portfolio of bioplastics available, biobased, and petrochemical based, some of them are biodegradable, some of them are not…
Helian Polymers prefers to work with PHA, a fully biobased, biodegradable, non-synthetic material produced by fermentation.
Yes. In most cases, they can be recycled, but not in combination with existing petrochemical plastics recycling streams. Separate recycling loops would be preferable.
Level up
to sustainable.
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