PHA
polyhydroxyalkanoate
Why PHA Cups?
Because design and science can change the future of the things we touch, hold and rely on daily.
Request Free SamplesAustralian Made
PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) is a biopolymer, basically a natural version of plastic.
But unlike petroleum-based plastic, it’s made by tiny living organisms (microbes) instead of chemicals from fossil fuels.
Microbes are microscopic life forms. They exist everywhere, in soil, plants, oceans.
When these microbes are given plant oils or sugars as food, they naturally create PHA inside their cells.
Scientists can then collect that PHA and turn it into products, like coffee cups, lids, straws and cutlery.
And when those products are thrown away, microbes in the environment simply eat it back up again, breaking it down completely into water and carbon dioxide, leaving nothing harmful behind.
So simply put, PHA is made by nature and returns to nature.
Most compostable cups are lined with PLA or have aqueous coatings. They need industrial composting facilities to break down, which most regions don’t have. PHA biodegrades naturally in any environment, no industrial processing, no special conditions.
Absolutely. PHA is non-toxic and made from renewable sources. It’s safe for food contact and won’t leak harmful chemicals into soil or water as it decomposes.
Most paper cups need a lining to hold liquids, and that lining is usually PLA or an aqueous coating, which don’t break down naturally. Wooden cutlery, while plastic-free, still relies on tree harvesting and resource-intensive production. With a truly compostable lining, paper cups become part of the solution, not the problem.
In the right conditions, PHA can fully biodegrade in just a few months, disappearing without a trace. Compare that to plastics, which can linger for hundreds of years, fragmenting into harmful microplastics that never truly go away.
No coffee cups, paper or otherwise, can be recycled through normal kerbside systems. Even with specialised collection programs, most end up being downcycled or sent to landfill. PHA is different because it’s designed to safely biodegrade, even if it ends up in the wrong place, leaving no microplastics behind.
Almost anything currently made from single-use plastic, from cups, lids, and straws to cutlery, packaging, and even 3D printed furniture. Terra Sol creates statement-making, design-led pieces for cafés, restaurants, and events, while EcoPHA develops PHA solutions for medical applications, proving the material’s safety, versatility, and performance across industries.
Start by choosing from our ready-to-order designs or collaborating with us on custom branding. We’ll guide you on the best products for your needs, arrange samples if required, and deliver directly to your business. Prices are even lower for contracted orders, making it easy, and cost-effective, to move to truly sustainable packaging. To get started, reach out via our Contact Us page or fill out the Request a Catalogue form.
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Terra Sol™ is a registered trademark owned and operated by Terra Sol Studio Pty Ltd.