- Australian company Ecopha Biotech has developed PHA bioplastics that biodegrade within months and are fully home compostable
- The company won the Energy & Renewables Award at the 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence alongside design partner Terra Sol Studio
- Their technology uses pongamia oil, a carbon-negative and regenerative resource, replacing their previous canola oil base
- The PHA materials can replace petroleum-based plastics in packaging, agriculture, healthcare, and consumer goods
- The biodegradable products are marine-safe and microplastic-free, produced through sustainable fermentation of renewable oils
Imagine a World Where Plastic Doesn’t Last Forever
Perth, Australia — December 1, 2025
Imagine a world where the plastic bottle you use today doesn’t linger in our oceans or landfills for centuries — but instead breaks down naturally within months, returning harmlessly to the earth.
That vision is becoming a reality through Ecopha Biotech, an Australian innovator transforming how the world thinks about plastics. Ecopha’s breakthrough work with PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) — a new generation of biodegradable and home-compostable bioplastics — has earned the company and its design partner Terra Sol Studio the Energy & Renewables Award at the 2025 InnovationAus Awards for Excellence, proudly sponsored by UNSW.
Redefining Plastics for a Sustainable Future
At the core of Ecopha’s mission is a simple but powerful idea: plastics should serve their purpose — then safely return to nature.
Products made from PHA biodegrade within months, not centuries and are fully home compostable, meaning they can safely decompose right in your own backyard. “Our mission has always been to close the loop, to create materials that don’t harm the planet,” said Dr. Wilson Ling, Founder and CEO of Ecopha Biotech.
“This recognition is not just an award — it’s a signal that sustainable innovation is now central to Australia’s future.”
Driving Climate Action Through Innovation
Ecopha’s PHA technology bridges the gap between science and circular manufacturing, offering a real, scalable solution to replace petroleum-based plastics across packaging, agriculture, healthcare, and consumer goods.
The company’s shift from canola to pongamia oil — a carbon-negative, regenerative resource — strengthens its environmental impact while improving cost efficiency. Pongamia trees restore degraded land and sequester carbon, aligning with global climate goals.
“We’re honoured to represent WA innovation on the global stage,” said Dr. Priyanka Toshniwal, Chief Investment Officer at Ecopha. “Our aim is not only to create better materials but to support governments and industries in achieving their net-zero commitments. With the right policies, investment, and partnerships, this innovation can be truly transformational for both the economy and the environment.”
About us:
Ecopha Biotech is an Australian biotechnology company pioneering PHA-based bioplastics — materials that are marine-biodegradable, home-compostable, and microplastic-free. Through sustainable fermentation of renewable oils, Ecopha develops circular biopolymer solutions that replace petroleum plastics across key industries including packaging, agriculture, and healthcare.
Learn more at www.ecopha.com
Contact details:
Dr. Priyanka Toshniwal
Chief Investment Officer, Ecopha Biotech
[email protected]