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This bioplastic bag is water-soluble

The Hong Kong start-up Invisible Company markets the Invisiblebag, a packaging solution made from starch-based bioplastic. The highlight: instead of being disposed of in the rubbish, the bag can also be dissolved in water and disposed of down the drain.

A bag for sunny days: the Hong Kong start-up Invisible Company produces the bioplastic bag Invisiblebag. It is not thrown away in the bin after use, but can simply be dissolved in hot water and disposed of down the drain. And all without microplastics or other residues.

The search for packaging materials that are similar to plastic but also environmentally friendly is driving the industry forward. A Hong Kong start-up provides a possible solution with the Invisiblebag made from bioplastic. The Invisible Company currently has five different variants on offer: one Shopping bag, one Mailing bag, one Garment bag, one Dog waste bags and as a prototype a Hygiene set for tattooing, consisting of a cable conduit and a machine cover. This shows that the material from the Hong Kong start-up can be used flexibly.

But the real highlight of the bag is its miraculous property after use. While conventional plastic poses a major problem by littering the oceans, the Invisiblebag can be easily dissolved by stirring it in hot water above 80 degrees Celsius. The mixture can then be poured down the drain without further filtering. This is made possible by the material of which the Invisiblebag is made, specially developed by the Invisible Company.

It's all in the mix

The bioplastic bag consists of a combination of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVAL), starch, glycerine and water. PVAL is responsible for the water solubility of the product. The polymer repels most anhydrous solvents, is resistant to oils and greases and, once dissolved in water, can be filtered without leaving any residue in the water. The product's environmental friendliness is confirmed by various certificates. Among other things, the Invisiblebag has been certified as compostable for plastics in accordance with EN standard 13432 and the US equivalent ASTM D6400.

Display

The colour used to paint the bags is also harmless. Invisible Company can be printed. According to the company, this is Free from heavy metals, ketones and benzene and therefore harmless to the environment and health. The imprints can be customised with the Invisible Company. The instructions for correct disposal are printed in English as standard.

What works and what doesn't?

But now to the hard facts. What can the Invisiblebag do? The company's standard size, the shopping bag, is 30 micrometres thick and 25 x 45 centimetres in size and weighs around four kilograms. a load-bearing capacity similar to conventional plastic bags on.

A bioplastic mailing bag from the Invisible Company, held by four hands
The dispatch bag from Invisible Company comes in three different sizes. (Image: Invisible Company)

Of particular interest to the industry, however, is likely to be the envelope from the existing portfolio. This is currently available in three different sizes, each with a thickness of 60 micrometres. Basically, anything that is not moist can be sent with the Invisiblebag. Electronic items can also be packaged, as the material is antistatic. However, the Invisiblebag is not suitable as outer packaging: As the material is water-soluble, transport through rain or snow can quickly end in a nasty surprise.

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