Bioplaster: Fakta och siffror 1
FAQ JUN 2017 European Bioplastics e.V. Marienstr.
19/20 10117 Berlin How does industrial composting (aerobic treatment) of bioplastics work? Compostable plastics that are tested and certified according to the European standards for industrial composting EN 13432 (for packaging) or EN 14995 (for plastic materials in general) fulfil the technical criteria to be treated in industrial composting plants. These plants provide controlled conditions, i.e. controlled temperatures, humidity, aeration, etc. for a quick and safe composting process. EN 13432 requires for the compostable plastics to disintegrate after 12 weeks and completely biodegrade after six months. That means that 90 percent or more of the plastic material will have been converted to CO2 . The remaining share is converted into water and biomass – i.e. valuable compost. Compost is used as a soil improver and can in part also replace mineral fertilisers. http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/waste-management/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_En_13432.pdf Are all bioplastic materials/products biodegradable? No. Bioplastics are a large family of materials that can be either bio-based, biodegradable or both. The largest share (over 75 percent) of bioplastics currently on the market are bio-based, non-biodegradable (durable) materials. Biodegradability is an inherent property of certain polymers that can be preferable for specific applications (e.g. biowaste bags). Biodegradable/compostable products should feature a clear recommendation regarding the suitable end-of-life option and correct disposal for this product. European Bioplastics recommends to acquire a certificate and according label for biodegradable plastic products meant for industrial composting according to EN 13432. http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/materials/ http://www.european-bioplastics.org/market/applications-sectors/ What is the difference between 'biodegradable' and 'compostable'? Biodegradation is a chemical process in which materials are metabolised to CO2 http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/materials/ http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/standards/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_En_13432.pdf What are the required circumstances for a compostable product to compost? Industrial composting is an established process with commonly agreed requirements concerning temperature and timeframe for biodegradable waste to metabolise to stable, sanitised products (biomass) to be used in agriculture (humus/fertiliser). This process takes place in industrial or municipal composting plants. These plants provide controlled conditions, i.e. controlled temperatures, humidity, aeration, etc. for a quick and safe composting process. The criteria for the industrial compostability of packaging are set out in the European standard EN 13432. EN 13432 requires the compostable plastics to disintegrate after 12 weeks and completely biodegrade after six months. That means that 90 percent or more of the plastic material will have been converted to CO2 . The remaining share is converted into water and biomass – i.e. valuable compost. Materials and products complying with this standard can be certified and labelled accordingly. , water, and biomass with the help of microorganisms. The process of biodegradation depends on the conditions (e.g. location, temperature, humidity, presence of microorganisms, etc.) of the specific environment (industrial composting plant, garden compost, soil, water, etc.) and on the material or application itself. Consequently, the process and its outcome can vary considerably. There is currently no international standard specifying the conditions for home composting of biodegradable plastics. However, there are several national standards, such as the Australian norm AS 5810 “Biodegradable plastics – biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting”. Belgian certifier Vinçotte had developed the OK compost home certification scheme, requiring at least 90% degradation in 12 months at ambient temperature. Based on this scheme, the French standard NF T 51-800 “Plastics — Specifications for plastics suitable for home composting” was developed, specifying the very same requirements for certification. http://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/waste-management/composting/ http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/bp/EUBP_BP_En_13432.pdf http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/pp/EUBP_PP_Home_composting.pdf http://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/fs/EUBP_FS_Standards.pdf VR 19997 Nz, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, USt-IdNr. DE235874231 HypoVereinsbank Rosenheim, BLZ 711 200 77, Konto 6356800, IBAN DE26 7112 0077 0006 3568 00, BIC/SWIFT HYVEDEMM448 17 phone fax European Bioplastics e.V. In order to be recovered by means of organic recycling (composting) a material or product needs to be biodegradable. Compostability is a characteristic of a product, packaging or associated component that allows it to biodegrade under specific conditions (e.g. a certain temperature, timeframe, etc). These specific conditions are described in standards, such as the European standard on industrial composting EN 13432 (for packaging) or EN 14995 (for plastic materials in general). Materials and products complying with this standard can be certified and labelled accordingly. e-mail web Marienstr. 19/20, 10117 Berlin +49.30.28 48 23 50 +49.30.28 48 23 59 info@european-bioplastics.org www.european-bioplastics.org Please note that in order to make accurate and specific claims about compostability the location (home, industrial) and timeframe need to be specified.