Please share some background on yourself and your company

My name is Travis Johnston, and I am the co-founder and CEO of Aropha. Prior to Aropha, I served as the Director of Market Strategy at Folio Photonics. I graduated summa cum laude with a BBA from Case Western Reserve University.

Aropha is a fast-growing independent testing lab and data science company pioneering the application of data-driven predictive models to accelerate sustainable material development.

At Aropha, our mission is to streamline the development and testing of biodegradable and compostable materials, enabling every company to significantly advance their sustainable material commercialization timeline. We have an amazing team that brings together expertise in environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, automation, and software engineering to set new standards for the creation of sustainable materials.

We are passionate about our customers and devoted to their success. We not only provide traditional testing support but also develop custom screening models to meet our customers' needs. We know that customers' trust and confidence are not given but earned with every communication, delivery, and challenge we encounter and resolve.

How long have you been utilizing AI, and how much has it developed in that time?

Aropha has been utilizing AI since the very beginning, focusing on advancing the field of biodegradability testing by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Over this time, our AI capabilities have significantly evolved, moving from basic data collection automation and analysis to sophisticated machine learning models that can predict biodegradation rates with high accuracy. This development has enabled us to provide faster, more reliable, and cost-effective testing solutions, positioning Aropha at the forefront of innovation in biodegradability testing and biodegradable material development.

What do you think will be the next big thing in the sector?

Great question! There are many exciting developments on the horizon!

To start, we believe the next big thing in the persistence and toxicity testing sector will be the widespread adoption of AI-driven predictive modeling combined with real-time data analytics, enabling more precise and accelerated testing processes. This will, in turn, allow for the more rapid development and certification of new biodegradable materials.

Additionally, we foresee a growing emphasis on digital platforms that connect material developers, regulators, and consumers. This will foster transparency and collaboration in the creation of sustainable solutions. Moreover, as regulatory demands and consumer expectations continue to evolve, the integration of these technologies will revolutionize the sector, driving innovation and sustainability on an unprecedented scale.

What are you most looking forward to from the expo?

We are excited about the opportunity to showcase Aropha’s comprehensive simulation and testing platform to the innovators and industry leaders attending this event - many of whom could be strategic partners and/or customers. We are also looking forward to learning more about the latest developments in polymer technology—what's available today and what's coming down the pike.

Travis Johnston will be speaking on Day 2 at the Technology and Testing Theater.

Conference Producer

Medwyn Roberts manages AMI's compounding portfolio of events. Over the past 2 years he has put together a variety of programs across three continents, including our various expos - Compounding World Expo Brussels 2024, Compounding World Expo North America 2023, and Injection Molding & Design Expo 2023. Medwyn has worked in a variety of industries and is interested in bringing together speakers from different disciplines to share best practice.