02. Jun 2026
Soleic polyurethane wins International Green Product Award
Algenesis Labs’ Soleic biodegradable polyurethane technology has won the International Green Product Award 2026, adding to a growing list of sustainability-focused recognitions for the plant-based material platform. The award was presented as part of the Green Product Award programme, which recognises products and materials designed to reduce environmental impact through innovation, circularity and sustainable design.
Soleic is a bio-based polyurethane technology developed by Algenesis Labs that is designed to deliver the performance of conventional polyurethane materials while biodegrading at end of life in compost, soil and marine environments. The company says the material breaks down into biomass and CO₂ rather than persisting as microplastic pollution.
The award recognises Soleic’s potential to address one of the polyurethane industry's most persistent sustainability challenges: the accumulation of microplastics from durable polymer products. According to the Green Product Award organisers, Soleic was recognised under the theme “for a world without microplastics”.
The latest award follows a series of milestones for the technology. In 2025, Soleic received the Polyurethane Innovation Award from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council, which described the material as a novel polyurethane technology made from renewable, plant-based feedstocks and designed for end-of-life biodegradation.
Algenesis has also been expanding the commercial reach of the technology. Last year the company partnered with specialty chemicals distributor Safic-Alcan to bring Soleic materials to European markets, targeting applications including footwear and consumer products. The company says the materials are intended to combine high performance with reduced carbon footprint and elimination of persistent microplastics.
The award highlights growing interest in bio-based and
Photo: granules of Soleic TPU © Algenesis Labs