Cordex and Polymateria present Biocord: A breakthrough in sustainable agriculture at Agritechnica 2023

Cordex, a global leader in agricultural packaging, has partnered with British innovators Polymateria to develop Biocord, the world's first binding wire with self-destructing plastic technology. This innovative solution will be presented at Agritechnica, Hanover, 2023 .

Plastic is currently used at every stage of agricultural production, from the nursery to the post-harvest phase. It is estimated that the agricultural sector worldwide consumes 2,250,000 tons of plastic annually, a weight equivalent to about half a million standard tractors. However, the versatility and durability of plastic come at a price.

For every 10,000 bales of hay or silage produced, at least 25 to 30 kg of plastic end up in the field due to lost sections. This plastic further breaks down into microplastics and accumulates in the soil over the years, impairing soil quality and fertility by altering its structure, bulk density, and water retention capacity.

Biocord – originally developed for stretch packaging – is the WORLD'S FIRST synthetic polypropylene binding wire that is both recyclable and biodegradable.

The integration of Polymateria's unique self-destructing plastic technology ensures that Biocord maintains the strength, length, and high performance of PP binding wire that the industry is accustomed to during its use.

After use, the Biocord binding wire can be recycled. However, if it enters the environment, it transforms into a bioavailable wax and safely returns to nature without leaving any microplastic residue.

CORDEX CEO Manuel Alberto emphasizes the importance of this collaboration: "We are seeing a global trend towards practices that are in harmony with the earth and nature. CORDEX is pleased to introduce Biocord, a sustainable and cost-effective solution for binding wires for farmers who want to take this extra step."

Polymateria CEO Niall Dunne said: "Our mission at Polymateria is to combat plastic pollution through cutting-edge science. Biocord is the world's first binding wire solution to address the problem of volatile plastics in the agricultural sector, and we are very excited to introduce it to farmers who play a key role in preserving nature and managing our planetary resources."

The presence of microplastics as a pollutant has negative impacts on soil, surface water, and groundwater resources, through which microplastics also enter the food chain, ultimately threatening human health and food security. Given dwindling planetary resources, solutions like Biocord offer hope for healthier soil and a cleaner world.

About Cordex: At Cordex, a global company with a rich history dating back to the 1960s, we are proud to be a trusted leader in agricultural packaging. Our evolution from cotton production to our current focus on agricultural netting and stretch film underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Cordex has divisions such as CORDEXAGRI, CORDEXAQUA, and CORDEXPRO, serving a diverse range of industries, from agriculture and fisheries to sports and leisure. With over 800 employees and a presence across multiple continents, our mission is to deliver exceptional customer experiences, prioritize sustainability, and integrate digital transformation. Our goal for the future is to strengthen our position as a customer-centric leader, continuously integrate sustainable practices, and offer a full product range to meet the diverse needs of our global audience.

About Polymateria: Polymateria aims to leverage scientific advances to combat plastic pollution. Founded at Imperial College London, it is the first entity to demonstrate, through scientific evidence, that the most common sources of unmanaged plastic waste can be returned to nature without creating microplastics, negatively impacting ecosystems, or disrupting large-scale recycling processes. For its efforts to promote a circular economy and combat plastic pollution, Polymateria was recognized as a Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2021.