BioFAQs

Submitted by samcanet on Wed, 06/05/2020 - 12:28

BioFAQs

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about biopolymers

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Biodegradable vs. Compostable

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BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE definitions refer to all those materials that, due to their molecular structure, can be assimilated by the microorganisms present in the environment. The biggest difference between them lies on the human intervention to control the biodegradation conditions in order to comply with a standard, and also if the biopolymers are valorized or not as compost.

BIODEGRADABLE polymers become nutrients or biomass naturally in different environments such as soil, water, seawater or anaerobic digestion. It is a longer and gradual process that does not require any human intervention to modify the biodegradation conditions .

COMPOSTABLE materials are transformed into compost (organic fertilizer) either at industrial compost plants, home composting containers, either in soil, under certain controlled conditions (timeframe, temperature, humidity, microorganisms). Thanks to this, degradation times are faster and the material is revalued as compost.

All compostable materials are biodegradable but a biodegradable material may or may not be compostable.

Several national and international standards exist to evaluate compostability, for example EN 13432:2000 or ASTM D6400-12 for industrial compost and EN 17033 for agricultural film.

INZEA^® Biopolymers are compostable under EN 13432 and ASTM D6400-12 standards.

Oxodegradation is not Biodegradation

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OXODEGRADATION is a chemical decomposition process in which matter is first oxidized and then fragments into pieces. Oxodegradable polymers are conventional petroleum-based plastics, but include an additive in their composition that stimulates its fragmentation.

The oxidation process causes the plastic to become brittle and fragments into small parts. Although this seems an advantage, the oxodegradable polymers have a molecular structure that is not assimilated by the microorganisms present in nature, and all these small pieces of plastic become MICROPLASTICS that remain in NATURE forever.

Therefore, oxodegradable polymers, are NOT COMPOSTABLE NOR BIODEGRADABLE. Thus, they do not represent an effective alternative to avoid the problem of plastic waste and neither do they reduce the depletion of fossil resources. Because of this, they will shortly be prohibeted in many countries.

BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE materials thanks to its structre, are completely assimilated by the microorganisms and have no negative effect on the environment.

INZEA^® Biopolymers are BIODEGRADABLE AND COMPOSTABLE.

Is it Biodegradable the same as Biobased?

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BIOBASED is the term used to define those plastics whose monomers come from natural and not fossil resources. These renewable sources usually correspond to agricultural raw materials that are not used as food, such as remains of corn, cereals, sugar beets, cassava or sugarcane crops.

Biobased polymers help to avoid the depletion of fossil resources (petroleum) and considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Not all biobased polymers are biodegradable, some of them are and some are not, a biodegradable polymer must comply with many other requirements.

BIODEGRADABLE polymers are plastics that, at the end of their lifecycle, are completely assimilated by the microorganisms present in the environment. Biodegradation depends on many environmental factors such as humidity, location, temperature, etc.

Biodegradability is linked to the polymer chain and does not depend on the origin of the raw materials. Some biodegradable polymers are not biologically based.

INZEA^®Biopolymers grades are BIODEGRADABLE and BIOBASED, with a renewable content up to 95%.

What is a Bioplastic?

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Terms BIOPLASTIC and BIOPOLYMER are often used but not always in an appropriate way due to is ambiguity. The definition of these similar concepts includes different types of plastics focusing on their origin and the management of their waste.

BIOBASED BIOPLASTICS are all those polymers whose origin is based on renewable sources. They may or may not be biodegradable.

BIODEGRADABLE BIOPLASTICS are all those plastics that at the end of their life cycle are decomposed by the action of environmental bacteria without leaving any residue. If these polymers are biodegraded complying with EN 13432, they are classified as compostable. These materials may or may not be biobased.

BIODEGRADABLE AND BIOBASED BIOPLASTICS INZEA^® Biopolymers comply with both definitions as are a range of bioplastics biodegradable and biobased, with a renewable content up to 95%.

INZEA Biopolymers can replace environmentally unfriendly traditional petroleum-based plastics.

To learn more about bioplastics, you can check www.thinkbioplastic.com

What is Home Compost?

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Composting consists of a transformation of organic matter into a natural fertilizer called compost. This is produced by an accelerated biooxidation process of organic matter, the action of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), aerobic conditions (oxygen rich environment) and temperature. The composting has an approximate duration of 18 months, when the decomposition and fermentation of the lower layers end, thus obtaining the compost prepared for use.

To make domestic compost, it is necessary to use composting containers, normally used outdoors, and it is recommended to:

Choose a warm location.
Deposit dry and woody materials and a layer of mature compost in the bottom.
Stir with an aerator to mix the contents well.
Maintain moisture

The compost obtained from this domestic process can be used both in gardens and in orchards to improve soil properties, both physical (porosity and ability to retain water and nutrients), chemical (nutrient content and cation exchange capacity), as well as biological (support and food of microorganisms).

Domestic composting process requires more demanding conditions (lower and irregular temperatures, 20º-30ºC) and slower pace than composting in industrial facilities. To obtain a certification that ensures domestic compostability, it is necessary to meet the following requirements:

Materials larger than 2 mm should be reduced by 90% in 6 months.
90% biodegradation in maximum 12 months.
Studies of eco-toxicological effects in plants.

Certain INZEA products are TUV HOME OK COMPOST certified for a maximum of 64 microns. You can check them in our Product Search.

Get to know the home composting process:

What does organic recycling mean?

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Renewable Polymers Biopolymers Frequently Asked Questions FAQS

According to European Bioplastics, ORGANIC RECYCLING is related to industrial composting and anaerobic digestion (AD), referring to the "circular" life cycle of many biodegradable and compostable biopolymer products such as bags and food packaging.

Bioplastics biodegrade within a specific norm, which includes a specific period of time, temperature, humidity and a certain presence of microorganisms.

INDUSTRIAL COMPOSTING is the biodegradation process in an industrial facility, converting, therefore recycling, the biopolymer elements into CO2, H2O and biomass or compost.

Whereas in ANAEROBIC DIGESTION (AD), the biodegradation process converts biopolymers into methane which is captured and used for energy production.