Insiya Jafferjee’s Shellworks Develops Biodegradable Plastic Alternative

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Shellworks, led by Insiya Jafferjee, has developed Vivomer, a biodegradable plastic alternative made using bacteria that fully composts without producing microplastics. This product has already replaced around 40 tonnes of traditional plastic in packaging, highlighting its potential to reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials and combat plastic pollution.

Insiya Jafferjee’s company, Shellworks, has developed a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic by utilizing bacteria to produce a material known as Vivomer. This innovation aims to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional plastics, which are durable but contribute significantly to pollution and microplastic accumulation.

Founded in 2019, Shellworks has successfully created a material that exhibits similar properties to plastic but is fully compostable and does not generate microplastics when decomposing. Since its inception, Vivomer has replaced an estimated 40 tonnes of plastic and has been used in the production of approximately 1.2 million packaging units.

Jafferjee has expressed a goal to eventually eliminate the need for petroleum-based packaging through the widespread adoption of Vivomer. The company’s approach focuses on sustainability, leveraging biological processes to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and decrease environmental impact.

The innovative work of Shellworks and Jafferjee has gained recognition within the entrepreneurial community. Jafferjee was honored with the Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award, which acknowledges the achievements of female entrepreneurs driving positive change through innovative solutions.

As concerns over plastic pollution continue to grow worldwide, efforts such as those by Shellworks represent critical steps toward more sustainable materials in packaging and beyond. By creating alternatives that combine performance with environmental responsibility, companies like Shellworks are contributing to the ongoing search for viable replacements for conventional plastics.

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