Von Holzhausen’s Liquidplant is redefining the material landscape as a first-of-its-kind 100% plant-based bioplastic that finally bridges the gap between environmental responsibility and industrial performance.
For decades, the global plastic crisis has been shaped by a central tradeoff: the durability of petroleum-based materials versus the limited performance of most “green” alternatives. That tradeoff is no longer viable. As regulations tighten and consumer expectations rise, industries from footwear and fashion to consumer technology are being pushed toward a decisive shift away from fossil fuels.
Liquidplant delivers the breakthrough the industry has been missing. Developed through novel green chemistry, its plant-based formulation is engineered not only to match but to exceed the mechanical performance of conventional plastics. Built for demanding environments, it delivers up to 15 times the elongation, reflecting exceptional durability under stress, while remaining 20% lighter than standard thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs). Its performance is further defined by a tunable hardness range of 55 to 98 Shore A, enabling tactile properties from soft, rubber-like flexibility to rigid structural form. This versatility holds across extreme conditions, with a low glass transition temperature that preserves consistent elasticity from -40°F to 212°F.
“Liquidplant is unique because it’s not limited to one application or one form,” said CEO Vicki von Holzhausen. “With tunable properties, it can replace a range of petrochemical-derived materials, from EVA [ethylene-vinyl acetate] and PEBA [polyether block amide] foams to TPU and silicone, opening the door to a more circular approach to product design.” Von Holzhausen’s latest developments include a 100% plant-based performance foam for footwear, a wearable tech accessory, an injection-molded tech case and a 3D-printed shoe, demonstrating the versatility of Liquidplant in real-world applications. Together, these innovations showcase how the material can be engineered for a wide range of everyday products.
The true disruption of Liquidplant, however, lies in its ability to address the end-of-life challenge of petrochemical plastics. While traditional plastics can persist in the environment for centuries, Liquidplant is designed for true biocircularity. By eliminating the chemicals inherent in traditional synthetics, it can return to the earth as nutrients rather than microplastics at the end of its useful life. ASTM D5511 testing confirms that it is on track to biodegrade 150 times faster than conventional plastics, decomposing in a few years without leaving microplastics behind.
