Plastic of the future is made of sugar

MOMENTUM researchers Marja Lamoree from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Gert-Jan Gruter from Universiteit van Amsterdam have been nominated for the Klokhuis Science Prize 2025 for their research on degradable plastics made from plants.

Plastics are typically made from oil and break down into tiny particles that end up in the environment and in our bodies, with potential harmful effects. That is why researchers have created a new kind of plastic. This plastic can be reused, breaks down better and contains fewer harmful additives.

Marja Gert-Jan made a short video about their research for Het Klokhuis, a Dutch educational television programme for children aged 9-12. The winner of the Klokhuis Science Prize will get their own Klokhuis episode, dedicated to their research!