At the K 2025 Preview in Düsseldorf, Paques Biomaterials unveiled its vision for a sustainable future built around Caleyda – a next-generation polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer derived from organic waste. In a presentation led by João Sousa and Richard Schrama, the Dutch company outlined its mission to tackle the global plastics challenge through a circular, microplastic-free alternative.
Paques Biomaterials, a spinout from a wastewater treatment background, has developed a proprietary process to convert secondary organic waste – from sources like municipal food scraps and industrial paper wastewater – into a biodegradable polymer. Unlike many bioplastics currently in production, which are derived from food crops such as corn or sugarcane, Caleyda uses food waste and industrial waste feedstocks and naturally occurring bacteria 'trained' to produce and consume PHA in a controlled system.
“PHAs have been around for millions of years,” explained Sousa. “They biodegrade in soil and water without generating microplastics. But the challenges have always been brittleness and high production costs – both of which we’ve overcome.”
The company has developed and patented seven key technologies that lower production costs and enhance the mechanical properties of its biopolymer. Caleyda is described as a “tunable” material suitable for multiple applications – from agricultural geotextiles and coated fertilisers to construction, forestry, and packaging.
Emerging potential in packaging
In the packaging space, one of the more promising applications is in fibre-based packaging, where Caleyda could be used as a biodegradable coating or barrier layer. As part of its pilot project with ESKA, a recycled paperboard manufacturer, Paques Biomaterials is exploring the use of PHA coatings on paper products. These can potentially enter standard paper recycling systems, where the Caleyda coating breaks down during the repulping process and is reabsorbed into the biological loop. This presents a viable route for single-use fibre-based packaging that requires moisture or grease resistance but must remain fully recyclable and compostable.
Dual-stream production and expansion plans
Paques Biomaterials operates on a two-phase business model: first, it licences its microbial PHA fermentation technology to industrial partners – such as paper mills and organic waste handlers – who generate PHA-rich biomass. This biomass is then purchased by Paques for downstream processing at its own extraction facilities using green solvent technologies.
Having already proven its concept through a pilot-scale facility producing up to 25kg of PHA daily, the company is now scaling up. Two plants are in development in the Netherlands: one at ESKA, using starch-contaminated process water; and the second in partnership with Looop, a company that manages food industry by-products. A full-scale extraction plant is also planned in Emmen, with operations targeted to begin in 2028.
“This is not just a lab-scale operation,” said Schrama. “We’re scaling with purpose. Our first commercial plants will produce between 1.5 and 6 kilotonnes of PHA annually, and we’ve already secured offtake agreements covering half of that production.”
Market readiness and future projections
The company’s goal is ambitious: by 2035, Paques Biomaterials expects to have 50 licensed fermentation sites across Europe, Asia, and the US, generating nearly €300 million in revenue and achieving price parity with fossil-based plastics.
In a growing bioplastics market that remains constrained by feedstock availability and cost, Caleyda offers a potential turning point. Its waste-based origin, strong biodegradability profile, and process scalability make it a compelling candidate for markets with strict environmental regulations or high microplastic leakage risk.
“Europe is already tightening restrictions on conventional plastics,” Schrama said. “Caleyda fills the gap with a credible, scalable solution.”
The company is now focused on developing applications in high-leakage sectors and building market engagement through prototypes, customer trials and exhibitions. It is also investing in quality assurance, analytics, and a broader sales and marketing team to support its commercial roll-out.
With infrastructure in place and market interest growing, Paques Biomaterials is positioning itself as a European leader in next-generation bioplastics – one that turns waste into value, and polymers into truly circular materials.
Paques Biomaterials will be exhibiting at K 2025, the world's leading trade fair for plastics and rubber, which will take place from 8-15 October 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
