White City Incubator start-up scoops top prize at Business Awards

Polymateria is setting a new standard in environmentally responsible plastic

Polymateria, an innovative plastic waste reduction company, took home 'Green Business of the Year' at the West London Business Awards.

Founded by Chief Scientific Officer and Imperial alumnus Dr Graham Chapman, Polymateria is a technology licensing company specialising in the development of additives that promote biodegradability in plastics.

Their mission is to develop biodegradable, recyclable, customizable and cost-effective plastic products and beat global plastic pollution.

Niall Dunne, Polymateria’s newly appointed CEO, said: "We are delighted to have been recognised as a leading London green business with this award and are committed to transforming the standards of the entire industry - in the way that Tesla challenged and redesigned the automobile."

The Polymateria team

"We believe strongly that plastics should be recycled wherever possible; however, today 30% of plastic still escapes into the natural environment. We can reduce the molecular weight to the point where nature can fully assimilate the polymers."

The technology start-up was recognised for its approach to tackling ‘fugitive’ plastic waste: meaning plastic waste that escapes into the environment despite the best efforts to recycle and reuse it. The company uses new ‘time-controlled biodegradation technology’, ensuring that plastics that have slipped through the net can be broken down more quickly when they reach the end of their use-life.

White City Incubator

Polymateria was one of the first occupants in the White City Incubator which provides a specialist environment for start-up companies. With a total of 16 companies now taking up office and lab space, the Incubator is operating at 95% capacity.

Business Awards

Now in their fifth year, the annual West London Business Awards celebrate business excellence, and showcase the innovation and entrepreneurial vibrancy of West London’s remarkable business community.

The awards ceremony and gala dinner took place at Wembley Stadium last week with over 350 guests celebrating the region’s success.

Also up for nomination were Central Working White City, who came runners-up in the Business Services Company of the Year category.

Central Working White City is the result of a collaboration between Imperial College ThinkSpace and award-winning workspace provider Central Working. Based at the I-HUB on Imperial’s White City Campus, it is the company’s first university-linked shared workspace in London.