North East business leads the way in revolutionising the use of plastic in forestry

Chestnut Bio, based in Ouseburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, are set to revolutionise the cultivation and protection of precious seedlings and saplings with their remarkable new product which has been developed to be ‘made robustly – not to last’.

With the global shift in awareness of plastics and their damage to the environment, being able to develop a product that will support the re-planting of our precious forests and combining that with a sustainable product is the ideal way forward for many businesses. Utilising that core product to then employ in limitless ways is set to change the way the industry functions.

Ian Brown, Director of Chestnut Bio, has a wealth of knowledge in the processes and practices of forestry and agriculture and has developed this unique new material which is made for and from the natural world. It is made from a plant-based, bio-degradable polymer which is non-toxic and non-polluting, delivers five-year, time-initiated biodegrading in the field and can be utilised to replace fossil-based and specialist recycle only plastics. This product is well placed to further assist businesses in their bid to reduce their own carbon footprint in the bid to become carbon neutral.

Starting in 2019 as Chestnut Natural Capital Ltd, Ian has used his knowledge of carbon foot printing to develop this product, and with the support provided from the Rural Design Centre Innovation Project (RDCIP) he has been able to patent and trademark this product and is now well on the way to launch on a global scale.

Ian said, of the support he received, “The intervention of RDCIP occurred at a crucial time in the development of the patent/trademark and product developments and therefore branding that needed to be done. During this period, and after a thorough investigation of the ambitions for the company, it was decided to make the trading brand of Chestnut Natural Capital Ltd. the name Chestnut Bio – far more appropriate for a biopolymer formulations company.”

“The iterative and high-level process that RDCIP walked the company and shareholders through allowed clarity around what it was the company produced and helping to pin down the trading name, trademarks, patents and way of working.”

Developing a product which, initially, was developed using the Innovate UK smart grant for 1.2m tree guards, he has been able to further develop a range of other, similar, shorter products, especially vole guards where there is less competition. In addition, the formula can be utilised in a number of different types of manufacture, such as Thermoform, injection moulding and 3d printing and with that, the end uses are limitless.

Liz Gray, Senior Innovation Manager, RDCIP said “It has been really rewarding being able to support the development of such an innovative new product, which will have such a big impact. Reducing waste from plastics is important everywhere, but especially in rural areas of tree planting and natural habitats. We look forward to seeing Chestnut Bio grow from strength to strength”.

 The support delivered by the RDCIP is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and part-funded by The North of Tyne Combined authority, so there is no cost to eligible organisations.