We aim to replace millions of tonnes of fossil-based SAPs
Planet Smart is a company dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for the hygiene industry. Founded by Dr. Gerald Perry Marin and Maurice Rüttimann, the company emerged from their mission to tackle plastic pollution, which was highlighted during their river cleanups. They developed PlanetSorb, a fully compostable, bio-based superabsorbent polymer, offering a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil-based materials used in hygiene products like diapers and menstrual pads. By combining innovation and sustainability, Planet Smart aims to reduce plastic waste without compromising on performance, helping brands create truly planet-friendly products. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Dr. Marin discusses the company’s groundbreaking work in the field of sustainable biomaterials. He shares insights into the challenges and innovations involved in creating a truly biodegradable solution that does not compromise on performance, shedding light on the importance of cost, scalability, and regulatory advancements in the shift towards a more sustainable future for the hygiene industry.
How is the hygiene and personal care industry responding to the growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to traditional synthetic materials?
The shift is accelerating; retailers and consumers are demanding better, and brands are listening. However, existing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) suppliers are slow to adapt, and there are technical limitations in developing a truly biodegradable replacement for current polyacrylates. That is where we come in, offering a drop-in, scalable solution that helps brands go fully biodegradable without greenwashing.
What are the biggest scientific and technical hurdles currently facing the development and adoption of bio-based SAPs?
Balancing cost, performance, and sustainability is the toughest challenge. Many alternatives perform poorly or cost too much due to niche raw materials or complex processes like fermentation. We have overcome that by using widely available feedstocks and our patented production process that is designed for scale.
How important is end-of-life product design—such as compostability or recyclability—in the innovation process for sustainable hygiene products?
It is essential. Without a clear, sustainable end-of-life pathway, products just shift the problem elsewhere and the microplastic crisis will still be an issue. Full biodegradability in an uncontrolled environment, in contrast to specialised ‘industrial composting’, is a powerful design principle. It ensures materials will biodegrade without harmful microplastics and aligns with circular economy goals.
What role do cost and scalability play in the widespread industry adoption of bio-based materials compared to their petrochemical counterparts?
They are make-or-break. Brands want sustainable materials, but not at 3x the price. That is why we have focused so much on cost efficiency; our roadmap gets us to cost comparable with commercial SAP in the next 3 years. We believe that better affordability unlocks adoption, and wide scale adoption leads to the planetary impact we are aiming for.
How are global regulations and environmental policies influencing innovation and investment in the biomaterials sector?
They are acting as accelerants. As governments ban microplastics and crack down on greenwashing, brands need solutions that meet the moment. This regulatory pressure is driving serious investment into alternatives like PlanetSorb, and we are perfectly positioned to lead this wave.
What inspired the development of PlanetSorb, and how does it differentiate from traditional superabsorbent polymers in terms of performance and sustainability?
PlanetSorb was developed to solve a critical gap in sustainability for hygiene products — the fossil-based SAP that makes up to 40 per cent of a diaper. While many brands use biobased layers, the core SAP often remains non-biodegradable. PlanetSorb is microplastic-free and delivers high absorption performance, enabling truly sustainable hygiene products from the inside out.
Could you elaborate on the challenges faced during the R&D phase of creating a 100 per cent home compostable and microplastic-free SAP?
The biggest challenge was creating an uncompromising high-performing SAP that also meets biodegradability under uncontrolled environments with a scalable supply chain. This required us to rethink traditional SAP chemistry by changing the raw material, reduce reliance on costly or niche inputs by leveraging on existing equipment and widely available raw material, and optimise extensively to achieve biodegradability without sacrificing absorbency. Our team of experts, together with advisors from former employees of BASF and P&G Ventures with decades of experience played a key role in overcoming these hurdles.
How does Planet Smart ensure that the biodegradation process of PlanetSorb is efficient across various environmental conditions?
Compared to current commercial sustainable SAPs which still use non-biodegradable acrylates as its ingredient, we designed PlanetSorb from the ground up by changing the raw material itself to ensure full biodegradability. It has already proven to break down naturally in uncontrolled environments (under abiotic & biotic conditions) without producing microplastics, confirmed by our third-party testing partners. Its chemistry allows full biodegradation without needing industrial composting, giving it an edge over many ‘bioplastics’ that only degrade under controlled conditions.
In what ways does PlanetSorb contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of hygiene products compared to conventional materials?
By replacing fossil-derived SAPs with a fully biodegradable alternative, PlanetSorb avoids long-term plastic pollution, reduces lifecycle CO₂ emissions by millions of tonnes, and works with existing supply chains—making sustainability truly scalable with planetary impact.
Has Planet Smart conducted any life cycle assessments to quantify the environmental benefits of using PlanetSorb in consumer products?
Yes, we have worked with LCA advisors and calculated that by Q2 2027, PlanetSorb will help avoid 4.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared to conventional SAPs—rising to 24 million tonnes by 2029. These figures are based on LCAs using conservative inputs and validated government data, ensuring our impact estimates are robust and realistic.
Beyond diapers and feminine hygiene products, what other industries do you see as potential markets for PlanetSorb, and how are you approaching these sectors?
We are exploring partnerships in agriculture (e.g., water-retaining soil additives), medical wound care, and pet care products. Our strategy is to build on our hygiene traction and expand into sectors where absorption and sustainability intersect.
How does Planet Smart plan to scale its production capabilities to meet the demands of large-scale manufacturers seeking sustainable alternatives?
We are not putting steel in the ground, and we are scaling via toll manufacturing to avoid heavy infrastructure investments and stay agile. Our production partner, a leading resin manufacturer with global footprint, has already signed an LOI (Letter of Intent) to scale up, with a clear roadmap to reach cost parity with conventional SAPs through solvent recycling, more efficient crosslinkers, and economies of scale.
Can you share insights into any strategic partnerships or collaborations that have been pivotal in advancing Planet Smart’s mission and product adoption?
We have partnered with industry veterans, including a former BASF SAP plant manager and former P&G leaders, and successfully completed an industrial proof-of-concept with a menstrual pad brand. That collaboration led to our first pilot order, and we are in advanced talks with others via multiple signed LOIs.
How does Planet Smart engage with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and promote the adoption of sustainable biomaterials globally?
We actively monitor evolving regulations, especially in the UK and EU, where microplastic bans and anti-greenwashing laws are tightening. We are working on applying for sustainability claims that satisfy different legislations, and we engage with industry bodies and policymakers to advocate for smarter standards.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for Planet Smart in the next five years, and how do you plan to drive innovation in the sustainable biomaterials industry?
Our vision is to become the go-to sustainable SAP provider across hygiene, agriculture, and other industrial sectors. In five years, we aim to replace millions of tonnes of fossil-based SAPs, expand into new geographies, and drive innovation through continuous R&D into affordable, scalable bio-based materials.
