Shellworks and Vivomer: Plastic’s Next Evolution
Shellworks introduces Vivomer™, a plant-based material that looks and works like plastic during use but naturally composts after disposal.
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shellworks
A Material Designed from Nature
Shellworks, based in London, focuses on transforming packaging by
replacing petroleum plastics with biologically derived materials. Their
flagship innovation, Vivomer, comes from microbial fermentation of renewable
feedstocks such as plant waste. This process creates a polymer that has the
look and feel of conventional plastics but carries none of their long-term
environmental problems.
Unlike bioplastics that mimic petrochemical polymers, Vivomer is free
from microplastics, toxic additives, and persistent residues. It is designed to
remain stable in everyday use—resistant to heat, moisture, and handling—yet to
break down naturally once discarded. This balance allows it to serve as a true
replacement, not just an alternative, for single-use plastics.
Certifications and Performance Standards
Vivomer has been tested against a broad set of international standards to
confirm its end-of-life safety. It is certified home compostable under
TÜV OK HOME, industrial compostable under EN 13432, and marine
biodegradable under ASTM D6691. In addition, it meets landfill
biodegradation standards (ASTM D5511), meaning it can break down across
multiple waste streams.
In practical testing, Shellworks evaluates Vivomer in active compost
environments of 30–50 °C with food and garden waste. These trials confirm that
it degrades within weeks or months depending on conditions, returning only
natural elements such as water, CO₂, and organic matter. The material is
adaptable in form, too—capable of being rigid or flexible, transparent or
matte, glossy or textured—meeting a wide range of packaging demands.
The Pipette Dropper Breakthrough
One of Shellworks’s most striking demonstrations of Vivomer’s potential
came in June 2025 with the launch of the world’s first fully compostable
pipette dropper. Traditional droppers combine glass, plastic, and rubber, which
makes recycling almost impossible. By reformulating Vivomer to mimic the
strength of glass, the flexibility of rubber, and the durability of plastics,
Shellworks created a single-material component that can be composted as a
whole.
This achievement is important beyond the technical challenge—it shows
that even small, specialized components in industries like beauty, health, and
wellness can be redesigned to eliminate waste. The dropper does not compromise
on performance during use but ensures that once it is thrown away, it
disappears cleanly back into the environment.
Why It Matters for Industry and Consumers
The global packaging sector relies heavily on single-use plastics, many
of which persist for centuries. Recycling rates remain low, and items like
mixed-material caps or droppers often end up in landfills. Vivomer demonstrates
a path where the functional qualities of plastics can be achieved without
locking in long-term waste.
For businesses, this opens doors to designing entire product lines around
circular principles without sacrificing quality or consumer experience. For
consumers, it provides reassurance that the items they use daily—whether in
skincare, wellness, or food packaging—will not contribute to pollution once
discarded. For regulators and sustainability advocates, it sets a precedent for
new materials that align with both environmental goals and market performance.
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