The project would include a patent landscape study for bio-based, water-soluble (or water-dispersible) films/materials for applications in water-soluble (or water-dispersible) unit dose formats. Further, we understand that search should weighted to focus on water-soluble or water-dispersible unit dose format applications. In addition, the study should include competitor information more closely related to the targeted product applications, business and industry.

We understand that the study should include the opportunities in water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films for water-soluble unit dose format applications, e.g., pods or pouches encapsulating measured doses of detergent for washing machines or dishwashers.

We have noted that study should focus on identifying references related to:

• Bio-based, water-soluble (or water-dispersible) films for applications in water-soluble (or water-dispersible) unit dose formats
• Additional bio-based, water-soluble (or water-dispersible) materials for applications in water-soluble (or water-dispersible) unit dose formats.

We have noted that unit dose application is not limited to only pods, pouches, sachet, bags etc. for dosing/storing cleaning agents such as detergents, rather unit dose formats that can dose/store products related to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agro chemicals etc.

We understand that this study should include Competitor Mapping, Technology Domain Specific Research, White Space Analysis/Patent Procurement Opportunities, Assignee Specific Analysis, Acquisition Opportunities, Problem Solution Analysis, and Trends, Shift in R&D strategy.

Scope and coverage- Patent literature published Worldwide

Water-soluble materials are growing in interest for a variety of applications, from single-use detergent pods to plastic bags

to flushable wet wipes. These materials are useful for applications in which standard disposal is not an option or where waste accumulation poses a particular problem. Many brands are looking for solutions beyond water-soluble that are bio-based and more readily biodegradable as well.

Some of the interesting technologies which solves the problem of plastic pollution includes :-

A 2017 publication from Anhui Huamao Vflexible Packaging states:

Plastic packaging bags are not easy to degrade and seriously pollute the environment; although plastic packaging bags are processed in some places, the products of degradation treatment will also harm the environment more or less, resulting in secondary pollution.

To solve the problem invention provides a water-soluble plastic packaging bag to solve the problem of waste pollution caused by the plastic packaging bag. The water-soluble plastic packaging bag, comprising the following components in parts by weight: 10-40 parts of polyethylene, 10-30 parts of soybean starch.

A 2020 publication from Guangzhou Dade Packing Machinery states:

• Water-soluble film in the prior art cannot be degraded after being dissolved, and it will face the issues of environmental pollution when discharging sewage. The water-soluble packaging bag provided by the invention adopts the packaging material of biomass, belongs to the environment-friendly water-soluble packaging bag, and packs two different fillers together, and has the advantages of degradable material, safety and no environmental pollution, and easy identification. It is suitable for the production and application of daily chemical care products or food and beverage packaging.
• However, at-market "just-add-water" products rely on water-soluble plastics such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). PVA is low-cost, lightweight, strong, durable, and transparent, with excellent barrier properties that meet the technical requirements for homecare applications such as laundry detergent pods and dishwasher tablet pouches. Detergent pods alone are a single-digit billion-dollar market that continues to grow as consumers become more aware of the performance benefits pods offer. Water-soluble pods are often made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
• However, although polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) rapidly dissolves in water, it is non-biodegradable and potentially releases microplastics, defined as synthetic polymeric particles 100 nm to 5 mm in length.
• It is estimated that between 15 and 51 trillion microplastics have accumulated in our oceans. When ingested by plankton and fish, microplastics enter the food chain, ultimately reaching humans; indeed, microplastics have been detected in human faeces. The impacts of microplastics on the environment and human health are still poorly understood; however, since they persist and bioaccumulate in the environment, it is recognized that there is no safe threshold for their release.
• The development of a bio-based and biodegradable material that could match performance, price point, and manufacturability of water-soluble PVA film currently used in detergent packaging could avoid the release of up to 90,000 tones/year of PVA in the EU and 400,000 tones/year globally.
• Many brands are looking to replace PVA with alternative materials, especially ones that are bio-based or made from waste feedstocks.

While these alternatives are unlikely to compete with PVA-based polymers for all applications, they could be competitive in applications like single-use pods, especially for high-end brands that can easily absorb a premium. Moreover, edible materials can open up the use of pods in food applications.

Xampla has developed a next-generation bio-based and biodegradable material produced from plant proteins. By harnessing the natural ability of plant proteins to self-assemble, they created a new class of materials with remarkable functional properties: Supramolecular Engineered Protein (SEP). SEP can be used to produce a range of materials with highly controlled properties, including water-soluble films.

They develop bio-based and biodegradable dissolvable home care sachets as a replacement for laundry detergent and dishwasher tablet pods. They will also develop personal care sachets for zero-waste shampoo and conditioner sachets. The outputs from this project will support the UK's ambition to become a world leader in sustainable packaging.

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