Calyxia: biodegradable micro-capsules

“Microplastic pollution is a ticking time bomb. Microplastics don’t degrade for hundreds of years - they accumulate, and we are producing two million more tonnes every year; 210 species of fish are already polluted; 90% of water is polluted. We will reach a point where this concentration is catastrophic for the environment, biodiversity and human health. That’s why we need immediate action to identify the sources and eliminate them,” says Jamie Walters, CEO and co-founder of Calyxia, a Paris-based company set out to do exactly that.

Today, microplastics are intentionally added to agriculture products to enhance crop yield, and to everyday products such as laundry detergents and shampoos, to achieve effects like long-lasting fragrance sensations. Microplastics are also generated by the deterioration of plastic materials used in automotive, electronics and sporting goods. As they resist degradation, these microplastics accumulate and destroy ecosystems and biodiversity. “80% of the microplastics in the ocean come from the degradation of these plastic materials,” Jamie explains.

Calyxia has developed a unique technology to produce the world’s first readily biodegradable and advanced performance microcapsules, to directly combat global microplastic pollution. With biodegradable microcapsules, farmers, for one, have a much more attractive option. “We work with top agrochemical companies that cover 80% of the global market, offering a regulation compliant and sustainable solution that preserves soil fertility and biodiversity at no extra cost to the farmer,” he adds. Validated at an industrial scale, Calyxia’s technology is here to stay. “With our technology and products, I think that within the next 20-30 years we can build an advanced and sustainable future. It will take lots of actors at different levels of the value chain, but the potential is there”. EIF-backed venture capital firm Astanor Ventures agrees.

In 2021, Calyxia received an equity investment from Astanor Ventures that helped advance their impact agenda, make their first commercial product sales and scale up the product range. “We wanted to work with an impact investor with a strong track record and a reputation for supporting investors, to push our impact agenda. They helped provide exposure and communication opportunities and connected us to other investors and prospective customers. We often use them as a sounding board, to challenge ideas and get insight to adapt our strategy.”

With future upside potential for food and nutrition, health and biotechnology, Jamie is confident about the impact of the business. With a proven impact in quelling marine pollution, this is good news for more than just the company and its investors.