In this episode of Built Leadership, host James Onyks interviews Alex Blum, founder and CEO of Applied Bioplastics. The conversation explores why the global bioplastics industry has struggled to achieve profitability despite massive investment and growing demand for sustainable materials.

Alexander explains how Applied Bioplastics approaches the problem differently by combining inexpensive agricultural waste with recycled plastic to create stronger, lower-cost, and potentially carbon-neutral materials. He discusses how traditional bioplastics production methods often consume large amounts of energy and can emit greenhouse gases comparable to conventional plastic manufacturing, while his company’s approach relies on simpler processes like drying and grinding plant-based cellulose to preserve the carbon captured during plant growth.

Applied Bioplastics website: https://appliedbioplastics.com