Technology overview
Bacterial cellulose. Nature's answer to fossil plastics.
A strong, flexible, waterproof biomaterial grown by bacteria from agricultural waste. No petroleum. No PFAS. No microplastics. Performs like plastic, decomposes like a leaf.
What is bacterial cellulose?
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a pure form of cellulose produced by Komagataeibacter bacteria during fermentation. Unlike plant cellulose, it contains no lignin, hemicellulose, or pectin. The result is a chemically pure β-1,4-glucan polymer with an ultrafine nanofibril network.
This nanoscale architecture gives BC exceptional mechanical strength, natural water resistance, and full biodegradability, properties that make it uniquely suited to replace fossil plastics in single-use applications.
BC nanofibrils are 100x thinner than plant cellulose fibers, creating a dense, interlocking mesh that gives the material its strength and barrier properties without any chemical treatment.
Gomes, F. P., et al. (2022). Materials, 15(3), 1100. doi:10.3390/ma15031100
High crystallinity means tightly ordered molecular chains, translating to superior tensile strength and structural rigidity. Plant cellulose typically reaches only 40-60% crystallinity.
Gomes, F. P., et al. (2022). Materials, 15(3), 1100. doi:10.3390/ma15031100
BC is composed almost entirely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. No fluorine, no chlorine, no heavy metals. This purity means zero PFAS, zero microplastics, and clean decomposition back to CO₂ and water.
Abol-Fotouh, D., et al. (2022). Water Research. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2022.118952
Biofabrication process
From waste stream to finished product.
Five steps. No petroleum. No synthetic chemistry. Every input is biological, every output is biodegradable.
Plastilose sources feedstock from agricultural waste streams, fruit processing residues, and food industry byproducts. These waste materials contain the simple sugars that Komagataeibacter bacteria convert into cellulose. By building on existing waste flows, we avoid competing with food production and turn disposal costs into material value.
Our supply partnerships with Dutch farmers and food processors ensure consistent feedstock quality and traceability throughout the production chain.
Komagataeibacter bacteria are cultured in shallow trays at 30 °C under static conditions. Over 7-14 days, they convert sugars into a floating cellulose pellicle at the air-liquid interface. Published studies demonstrate yields up to 20.6 g/L on optimized substrates.
The process requires no high temperatures, no pressure, and no synthetic chemicals. Energy input is minimal compared to plastic manufacturing.
Liu, K., et al. (2025). ChemSusChem. doi:10.1002/cssc.202401578
After fermentation, the cellulose pellicle is harvested and purified through mild alkaline treatment (NaOH wash). This removes residual bacteria and culture medium, yielding a translucent, chemically pure cellulose sheet.
Quality control at this stage verifies sheet thickness, uniformity, and structural integrity before the material proceeds to 3D forming.
Plastilose's patent-pending forming technology shapes purified cellulose sheets into three-dimensional products such as medicine cups and dosing containers. The process preserves the material's mechanical strength, barrier properties, and biodegradability.
This is our core IP. Patent application filed 2026. Details are proprietary.
After use, Plastilose products decompose naturally through microbial action in soil. Visible surface degradation begins within 30 days. Full structural breakdown occurs within 90 days. Approximately 75% mass loss is achieved in 8 weeks under soil burial conditions.
Unlike PLA and other bioplastics, bacterial cellulose does not require industrial composting at elevated temperatures. It degrades in garden compost, regular soil, and natural environments.
Barretto, H. C. M., et al. (2023). Polymer Degradation and Stability, 214, 110382. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110382
Performance data
The numbers behind the material.
Mechanical
200-300 MPa
- Tensile strength
- 200-300 MPa
- Young's modulus
- up to 114 GPa
- Crystallinity
- 84-89%
- Fiber diameter
- 20-100 nm
Gomes et al. (2022). doi:10.3390/ma15031100
Barrier
84% WVP reduction
- Water vapor permeability
- 84% reduction
- Coatings required
- None
- PFAS content
- 0%
- Water resistance
- Structural modification only
Yu et al. (2024). doi:10.1039/D3SU00219E
Biodegradation
90 days
- Surface degradation
- 30 days
- Full decomposition
- 90 days
- Mass loss (8 weeks)
- ~75%
- Industrial composting
- Not required
Barretto et al. (2023). doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110382
Environmental
96% lower CO₂
- CO₂ vs polypropylene
- 96% lower
- PFAS content
- 0%
- Microplastics
- 0%
- Feedstock
- Agricultural waste
Internal LCA. Supported by Rosenboom et al. (2022). doi:10.1038/s41578-021-00407-8
Competitive comparison
How bacterial cellulose compares.
| Property | Plastilose BC | Polypropylene | PFAS-coated paper | PLA bioplastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS content | 0% | 0% | Present | 0% |
| Microplastics | None | Yes | Yes (coatings) | Possible |
| Decomposition time | 90 days | 400+ years | Varies | Industrial only |
| Water resistance | Yes (structural) | Yes | Yes (chemical) | Limited |
| CO₂ vs polypropylene | 96% lower | Baseline | ~30% lower | ~40% lower |
| Industrial composting required | No | N/A | Often | Yes |
| Medical grade viable | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited |
PFAS content
Microplastics
Decomposition time
Water resistance
CO₂ vs polypropylene
Industrial composting required
Medical grade viable
Technology readiness
Where we are today.
TRL 4 completed. TRL 5 validation in progress with hospital pilot partners.
Technology milestones
BC production validated. First 3D forming prototypes. Founded Plastilose B.V.
Mechanical and barrier testing complete. First hospital partner signed.
Patent filed. TRL 5 validation. Pilot production at 10,000 units/week.
Semi-automated line. TRL 7. MDR pathway. 100K units/week capacity.
Industrial-scale production. TRL 9. 1M+ units/week. Price parity.
BC production validated. First 3D forming prototypes. Founded Plastilose B.V.
Mechanical and barrier testing complete. First hospital partner signed.
Patent filed. TRL 5 validation. Pilot production at 10,000 units/week.
Semi-automated line. TRL 7. MDR pathway. 100K units/week capacity.
Industrial-scale production. TRL 9. 1M+ units/week. Price parity.
Intellectual property
Protected technology.
Plastilose's competitive advantage rests on proprietary post-processing technology that transforms flat bacterial cellulose into functional three-dimensional products. This core innovation is protected through formal IP filings and operational trade secrets.
Our fermentation optimization, strain selection protocols, and quality control processes constitute additional layers of know-how that are not publicly disclosed.
Patent filed 2026
3D cellulose forming process. Application covers the core post-processing technology for shaping bacterial cellulose into functional products.
Trade secrets
Fermentation optimization, strain selection, and quality control protocols are maintained as proprietary operational knowledge.
R&D pipeline
Active research into next-generation formulations, expanded product categories, and production efficiency improvements.