GENERAL
What is VIVOMER?
VIVOMER is a plastic-free material that behaves just like plastic in use. You can put it in your dishwasher, have it in your shower or keep it on a retail shelf. Once you're done with it and it's disposed of, microorganisms in the soil see it as food and break it down. No microplastics, no toxic chemicals, nothing left behind. VIVOMER is engineered to last as long as you need it to. It just doesn't last forever.
Is VIVOMER plastic?
No. VIVOMER contains no petroleum-based plastic and no plastic derivatives. It's 100% petroleum-plastic-free and we use C14-dating, to show that every carbon atom in VIVOMER is newly sequestered carbon, not dug out of the ground. VIVOMER performs like plastic because it's a polymer, but it's a polymer made by microorganisms fed plant-based feedstocks. When people hear "plastic," they think microplastics, persistence and toxicity. VIVOMER is none of those.
Is VIVOMER a PHA?
Yes. VIVOMER is made of proprietary formulations of PHA, polymers that occur naturally inside microorganisms. Microorganisms store energy as PHA the way humans store fat. We've engineered VIVOMER to be a best-in-class PHA: the most scaled, most cost-effective and most comprehensively certified across material, print, colour and design.
What is a microorganism?
When we refer to microorganisms, we’re talking about bacteria. These are single-cell organisms that exist in natural environments and, in the case of VIVOMER, have the ability to make polymers in their cells naturally.
How is VIVOMER different from other bioplastics like PLA?
PLA (polylactic acid) is a bioplastic, but it's only industrially compostable, meaning it needs the high heat and conditions of a commercial composting facility to break down. In home compost, soil or the ocean, PLA behaves a lot like conventional plastic and can persist for decades. VIVOMER is different: it can biodegrade in any non-sterile environment where microorganisms are active. This could be home compost, garden soil or any natural environment with sustained microbial activity. No industrial facility required. In addition, VIVOMER is entirely bio-based and biodegradable, whereas many bioplastics are petrochemically derived blends that may still contain petrochemical additives.
Who uses VIVOMER packaging?
We work with innovative brand partners across personal care, supplements, household goods and beauty. Notable partners include Unilever (Wild), Sonsie, Phil's and Sam McKnight, with more launching in 2026. You can find brands using VIVOMER packaging in retail environments globally, such as Tesco, Target, Whole Foods, Boots, Sprouts and Holland & Barrett, to name but a few. To date, we have shipped over 8 million parts globally and the volume is growing. If you want the full list for a specific category, get in touch.
Who is Shellworks?
Shellworks is the company behind VIVOMER. We're a full-stack team across material science, design and manufacturing, because how you communicate a solution matters as much as the material itself.
Where is VIVOMER manufactured?
Our material production is based in the UK and we have product manufacturing sites located in the UK, mainland Europe and the US. Our aim is to localise manufacture where possible so that not only are you choosing a better material but an optimised supply chain.
How is VIVOMER pronounced?
VIVOMER is pronounced VEE-voh-mer. VEE like "see", voh like "go" and mer like "her".
THE MATERIAL
How is VIVOMER made?
We take second-generation feedstocks – by-products of existing agricultural and industrial processes – and feed them to naturally occurring microorganisms. Those microorganisms ferment the feedstock and store it as a polymer in their cells, the same way humans store fat. We extract and process that polymer into VIVOMER, which can then be shaped using the same equipment that would otherwise be used for conventional plastics. Biology does the groundwork; we focus on making it work at scale.
Does VIVOMER feedstock compete with food crops?
No. We use second-generation feedstocks. These are by-products and waste streams from existing agricultural and industrial processes, not food crops grown specifically for our supply chain. We share the specifics with brand partners after an NDA, but the principle is firm: VIVOMER won’t compete with what people eat.
Do you use plasticisers or other processing additives?
No. VIVOMER contains no phthalate plasticisers, no petroleum derivatives and no microplastic-shedding additives. The performance we get is from how we formulate VIVOMER itself, not from layering in conventional plastic processing aids.
Is VIVOMER natural?
VIVOMER is made by nature. Microorganisms have been producing polymers in their cells for billions of years as a way to store energy. We didn’t invent this; we focused on how to scale a process biology already had. Our feedstocks are plant-based, the process is fermentation and the end-of-life is biological breakdown by microorganisms. That said, "natural" is a word that gets overused, so we prefer to be specific: made by microbes, nature-identical, petroleum-plastic-free, microplastic-free and containing no toxic additives.
Is VIVOMER vegan?
Yes. VIVOMER is produced through microbial fermentation of plant-based feedstocks. It contains no animal-derived ingredients.
What does VIVOMER feel like?
Depending on the format and finish, VIVOMER can be rigid, flexible, matte, glossy or soft-touch. It can feel as rigid as ceramic or as soft as silicone. We focus on making sure it feels like a great tactile experience, not a compromise. The best way to know is to hold it yourself; get in touch if you’d like a sample.
How does the material performance of VIVOMER compare to plastics?
VIVOMER can mimic the properties of a variety of petrochemical plastics, meaning it can work as a great alternative to ABS, SAN, HDPE, PP, TPE and even silicone. If there are particular properties you are trying to achieve, let us know and we can explore creating a custom formulation.
SAFETY & HEALTH
Is VIVOMER food contact certified?
Yes. VIVOMER is FDA-certified and meets EU 10/2011 standards for food-contact materials.
Does VIVOMER create microplastics?
No. VIVOMER leaches no persistent microplastics in use and leaves no persistent microplastics at end of life. When VIVOMER biodegrades, microorganisms enzymatically digest it, the same way they break down leaves or wood. Nothing is left behind as microplastic or nanoplastic particles, and we’ve validated this with a third-party lab.
Is VIVOMER BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PFA-free?
Yes, VIVOMER is free of BPA, phthalates and PFAS. We test for all three at parts per billion, which is a thousand times more rigorous than what regulators legally require. We test at this level because we want to be certain, not just compliant.
Is VIVOMER safe?
Yes. VIVOMER meets FDA and EU 10/2011 food-contact standards and contains no BPA, phthalates, PFAS, petroleum derivatives or heavy metals. Additionally, VIVOMER is certified as home-compostable by TÜV AUSTRIA, meaning that its constituents have been characterised and screened for eco-toxicity.
Is VIVOMER non-toxic?
Yes. VIVOMER contains no toxic chemicals, no petroleum derivatives and no microplastic-shedding additives. We test at parts per billion for BPA, phthalates and PFAS. If incinerated, VIVOMER produces significantly lower VOCs than conventional plastic, comparable to burning natural material.
PERFORMANCE & USE
What happens when VIVOMER comes into contact with water?
In regular use, nothing. VIVOMER is completely stable in water. You can put it in your dishwasher, keep it in your shower and store liquids in it for years. VIVOMER only biodegrades in environments with sustained microbial activity and exposure to the elements – water on its own won’t degrade it.
Can VIVOMER hold liquids?
Yes. VIVOMER holds liquids the same way plastic does. It has been tested with many different formulations and passed for a shelf life of over three years. In fact, the Shellworks team drinks from VIVOMER cups every day.
What is VIVOMER's shelf life?
VIVOMER is entirely stable until you are done with it, whether that is one month, one year or ten years. We have run over 300 lab tests including pack integrity, freeze-thaw, cold drop, UV exposure, vacuum leakage and accelerated ageing, and VIVOMER holds up. It is designed to be completely stable throughout your product’s commercial life.
Do VIVOMER products have linings?
No. Our products do not require additional liners or linings to function well or stay waterproof. All of the barrier performance comes from VIVOMER itself.
Is VIVOMER compatible with the ingredients in my formula?
In most cases, yes. We have tested VIVOMER against a wide range of cosmetic, personal care and supplement formulations including oils, actives, glycols, surfactants and fragrances. For anything unusual, we will facilitate compatibility testing with your specific formulation, but we have high confidence it will pass. Let us know your formula and we will share our data.
Is there anything that is not suitable for VIVOMER?
Having run numerous tests, the only thing we would not recommend VIVOMER for is storing formulations with a high alcohol content; anything above 15% will not work well in our VIVOMER packaging. Contact surfaces with high alcohol are fine – perfume caps, for example, work very well.
Can you colour or decorate on VIVOMER?
Yes. VIVOMER can be colour-matched using natural pigments. We do not use synthetic dyes or pigments that contain heavy metals. We can decorate with screen printing, pad printing, hot foiling and embossing, and we have vetted label solutions. We can also facilitate in-tool surface finishes just like plastic. Plastic-free packaging should not look like a compromise; with VIVOMER, it doesn't.
How do I seal this packaging?
VIVOMER is compatible with standard sealing methods used for conventional plastic packaging, including our own threaded closures (also made from VIVOMER), induction seals and heat seals depending on the format. We will walk through the right sealing approach for your specific product during onboarding.
Is VIVOMER dishwasher safe?
Yes. VIVOMER is dishwasher safe. We drink from VIVOMER cups in our office every day and run them through the dishwasher without issue.
Is VIVOMER shower safe? Is it waterproof?
Yes. VIVOMER is fully waterproof and stable in hot, humid shower environments for the entire life of your product. It only starts to break down once it is disposed of somewhere with sustained microbial activity (e.g. home compost).
What temperature can VIVOMER handle?
VIVOMER is stable from -20°C to 120°C, meaning it can handle standard packaging temperatures across freezer, ambient and hot conditions depending on the specific formulation. We can run freeze-thaw and thermal stability testing as part of our testing protocol. For specific requirements (hot-fill products, frozen goods or transport conditions), we will confirm compatibility during technical review.
Is VIVOMER compatible with existing plastic manufacturing equipment?
Yes. VIVOMER is compatible with existing plastic manufacturing processes across injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion. We currently work directly with brands on finished products, which we manufacture in our UK, EU and US facilities.
Does VIVOMER require special tooling / moulds?
No. VIVOMER uses standard tooling materials and processes; however, we recommend making new tooling for use with VIVOMER as it has different tolerances and shrinkage rates. Our in-house engineering and manufacturing teams handle and support this process.
END-OF-LIFE
Will VIVOMER biodegrade in my home?
No, and that is the point. VIVOMER is completely stable anywhere sterile or semi-sterile: your shelf, your shower, your bathroom cabinet or your handbag. VIVOMER will only break down in environments with sustained microbial activity, such as soil or home compost. In fact, if VIVOMER is removed from those conditions mid-breakdown, it will stop breaking down and remain stable until it is returned. This is how we are able to capture our mid-breakdown imagery.
If I dont have compost where can I dispose of VIVOMER?
If you do not have access to compost, you can put products in your general waste. While it will likely end up in a landfill or incineration, it remains a better alternative to plastic as it will not leach toxins or create microplastics. We are constantly working on improving access to VIVOMER waste streams, so keep an eye out for new systems.
How do I dispose of VIVOMER?
In whatever waste stream you have access to. VIVOMER will biodegrade in home compost, garden waste, industrial compost and landfill conditions at a similar rate to cellulose. It is certified home compostable by TÜV AUSTRIA, but that doesn’t mean everyone should have a home compost. The waste system is currently broken; the point is that wherever VIVOMER ends up, it will not persist.
Is VIVOMER recyclable?
Yes. VIVOMER is recyclable, refillable, reusable and home compostable. For now, it is not yet widely collected, but we are working on that. Critically, VIVOMER does not contaminate conventional recycling streams. We have verified this in sortation facilities (MRFs) in France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.
What is VIVOMER's LCA?
VIVOMER uses second-generation biogenic carbon as a feedstock, which means it has a much lower LCA compared to incumbent plastics. Get in touch if you need specific LCA data for a procurement or regulatory review – we host our data on a third-party platform and can provide access for brand partners under an NDA.
Is VIVOMER more sustainable than glass or aluminium?
This depends on the full system review: weight, shipping, end-of-life and production energy. Glass is heavy and energy-intensive to make and ship. Aluminium production is one of the most energy-hungry processes in manufacturing. VIVOMER is lightweight like plastic, leaves nothing behind at end-of-life and is manufactured using second-generation feedstocks. Rather than claim a blanket win, we let brands run the numbers for their specific supply chain. In most cases VIVOMER holds up very well, particularly where microplastic leaching, shipping weight or industrial infrastructure are concerns.
Is VIVOMER home compostable?
Yes. VIVOMER is certified home compostable by TÜV AUSTRIA, the global gold-standard test that validates it biodegrades under the conservative real-world conditions. We don't always lead with home compostability as a consumer instruction (we're not asking everyone to buy a compost bin). We use it as proof: if it biodegrades in a home compost, it's safe wherever it ends up.
How long does VIVOMER take to biodegrade?
VIVOMER biodegrades at a similar rate to cellulose. The exact timing depends on factors including thickness, temperature, moisture and microbial activity. In active home compost, products designed with VIVOMER break down over a period of months, not decades. In a drawer at home, it lasts indefinitely. We certify against home compost standards and share condition-specific timelines with our brand partners.
What happens if VIVOMER ends up in the ocean?
VIVOMER isn't designed to end up in the ocean but unlike conventional plastic, which fragments into microplastics that persist, VIVOMER is a material microorganisms can digest. Marine biodegradation depends on conditions, and we don't make blanket claims about ocean timelines. What we can say: VIVOMER will break down at a similar rate to cellulose in the same environment and leaves no microplastics behind.
Does VIVOMER contaminate recycling streams?
No. VIVOMER has been tested in sortation facilities across France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, and does not contaminate conventional plastic recycling streams.
WORKING WITH US
What are the MOQs?
Minimum order quantities depend on the format and decoration complexity. As a general rule, our catalogue is between 10,000 – 25,000 units, and custom projects start at 150,000 – 200,000 units annually. Please get in touch and we can provide you with specifics.
What is the lead time?
For existing formats, our lead time is 12 weeks from the purchase order. For custom projects, we will discuss launch timelines as part of onboarding. Depending on complexity, we are able to get new products to market in as little as six months.
Can you help me design new packaging or products in VIVOMER?
Yes, our team can support end to end from concept to having your product in VIVOMER on a retail shelf. Our team has expertise across industrial design, material science, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, operations and communication to help make switching to VIVOMER as easy as possible.
How much does VIVOMER cost?
At current volumes, VIVOMER is roughly 1.5–2x the cost of conventional plastic. For example, if your plastic component costs 10 cents, we are in the 15–20 cent range, not $2. At approximately 5 million units annually, VIVOMER is already cost-competitive with glass, aluminium and chemically recycled plastics. It is not a technical challenge, but a scale challenge, and the gap closes fast as your volumes grow.
Can I get samples?
Yes, we'd rather put VIVOMER in your hands so please get in touch with our team, or look for brands using VIVOMER packaging already in retail.
What industries and product categories does VIVOMER work for?
Beauty and personal care (skincare, haircare, body care, suncare), supplements and nutraceuticals (vitamins, protein, nootropics, gummies), household care, and food-contact applications. The simplest way to know if VIVOMER works for your category is to tell us what you're making, and we'll walk through suitability with you.