The Natural Polymers Group is a new industry voice committed to scaling natural polymer solutions to reduce plastic pollution globally.

The group, representing seven companies (across the US, Europe and India), has been founded to establish nature-based materials such as plants and seaweeds, as a viable and mainstream means of replacing plastic.

The coalition, created by companies Notpla, Loliware, Traceless, Xampla, MarinaTex, Zerocircle and PlantSea, holds that these materials offer a regenerative, circular solution to tackle plastic waste and pollution.

The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) will kick off in Nairobi from 13-19 November. Representatives will come together to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

The Natural Polymers Group has set out three policy endorsements ahead of INC-3. This includes the call for a global and clear definition for plastic and non-plastic substitutes and an expanded criteria for circularity, that recognises natural polymer’s end-of-life benefits.

It also pushes for ambitious policies and incentives to phase out unnecessary plastics such as extended producer responsibility systems, taxes and levies.

Notpla co-founder Pierre Paslier commented: "The global treaty underway now is a pivotal chance to coordinate ambitious action to address the plastic crisis. We urge policymakers to leverage this opportunity to support natural solutions as the key solution to avoid plastic waste and pollution altogether, rather than relying solely on recycling or reuse of plastic.”

The coalition also supports the EU’s Single-Use Plastic Directive and invites other innovators, businesses, researchers and NGOs to join its mission.