Xampla and 2M join forces for sustainable manufacturing push

Cambridge sustainability business Xampla has linked up with UK compatriot 2M to scale production and distribution of its fully biodegradable plant-based materials.

2M will manufacture multiple tonnes of materials under Xampla’s new Morro brand at its Milton Keynes facility.

Produced from plants, Morro fully biodegrades at the end of its life so offers a sustainable drop-in alternative to plastic. As well as growing Xampla’s production capacity, the alliance will make 2M’s manufacturing ever greener.

The natural materials involved will enable 2M to expand its portfolio of sustainable alternatives for manufacturing and distribution directly to brands, eliminating plastics from the supply chain.

Globally, three million tonnes of petroleum-based, non-biodegradable functional and barrier coatings for single-use paperboard packaging are produced each year.

This contaminates paperboard recycling streams, causing packaging to be incinerated, dumped in landfill, or released into the environment.

Morro Coating is safe for food contact and offers high strength, grease and oxygen barrier properties. Materials are made from natural polymers and are not chemically modified, meaning they are exempt from the existing European single-use plastic directive.

Through 2M’s subsidiaries, which include formulation, manufacturing and distribution services, the duo will collaborate to address new customer needs in the personal care & Homecare Institutional and Industrial (HI&I) markets, as well as develop new opportunities and partnerships in the packaging space.

Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, said: “Our partnership with 2M marks a major milestone that will take Morro to the next phase of commercialisation.

“Working with 2M’s wide-reaching network, our collaboration will enable more customers to use Morro materials across a range of products, demonstrating the potential for plant based materials in eliminating polluting plastics.”

Mottie Kessler, Chair and CEO of 2M added: “Sustainability is one of our core business values and a key part of our growth strategy for the future. We look forward to working together over the coming months with the Xampla team to bring this exciting innovation to our customers. 

“We see huge potential with Xampla’s technology and the Morro brand, and are excited at the opportunity it presents to support the transformation of our portfolio to more sustainable technologies.”

This partnership is the first technology licensing agreement with Morro, building on the success of projects with leading meal kit retailer Gousto and global soft drinks manufacturer Britvic.

Headquartered in the UK, and with sites and a presence in Benelux, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, South Africa, USA and the Nordic region, the 2M Group of Companies exports to over 90 countries.