UK-based bioplastics company Xampla has collaborated with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to develop a test that confirms the company’s claim that its Morro materials are plastic-free and exempt from the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD).
These materials are derived from natural plant polymers.
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The validation followed collaboration between NPL and Xampla through the Measurement for Business (M4B) programme, which focused on creating a method to verify plastic-free claims.
The outcome provides assurance to packaging producers that Morro materials align with UK and EU regulations on single-use plastics.
It also establishes groundwork for a first-of-its-kind verification process.
No universal procedure currently exists for confirming whether a material is plastic-free, despite regulatory measures aimed at reducing single-use plastics.
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By GlobalDataThe EU’s REACH regulation defines plastics as “polymers to which additives or other substances have been added” and specifies that natural polymers not chemically altered are excluded from that category.
NPL scientists applied advanced spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy to examine the chemical and physical characteristics of Morro’s natural plant-based polymers before and after processing.
The findings showed no meaningful chemical changes, confirming the material is not chemically modified, and therefore not classified as plastic under REACH rules.
Xampla’s Morro coatings and films, already in use by organisations including Just Eat Takeaway, provide grease and water resistance comparable to plastics but are made entirely from natural polymers derived from plants.
The materials are described as biodegradable, home compostable and compatible with existing recycling systems.
Xampla co-founder and chief technology officer Dr Marc Rodriguez Garcia stated: “Given the rapid pace of regulatory change, packaging companies desperately need credible assurance about any plastic-free product they buy.
“We hope this approach — the first of its kind as far as we know — can now be replicated by others to support plastic-free innovation more broadly.
“For Xampla, this work with NPL conclusively proves that our Morro materials are plastic-free at a chemical level and so meet existing regulations. Having the data from world-leading independent measurement scientists lets us alleviate doubts of even the most cautious customers.”
The validation has supported new contract agreements and expanded market opportunities.
In September 2025, Xampla secured $14m in private capital, through a series A funding round, to replace single-use plastics with plant-based alternatives.
The investment is led by Emerald Technology Ventures, known for operating Europe’s first venture-backed investment fund focused on the entire packaging lifecycle.
