Bioplastics, joint brochure: Biodegradable plastics: what is it? Certification of bioplastics Examples of bioplastics applications
Certification of bioplastics Petra Horvat Andrej Kr탑an
This project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE Programme co-financed by the ERDF.
It is difficult to imagine the modern world without plastics; however these versatile materials are often seen to be in conflict with an increasing focus on environmentally friendly lifestyles leading to a search for more acceptable alternative materials. One of the most visible and promising solutions are bioplastics (see definition below). As bioplastics are not readily distinguishable from regular plastics, it is necessary to provide a mechanism ensuring their quality and labeling. This is done through a standardization and certification system.
Bioplastics: plastics that are biodegradable and/or biobased. In medicine the term can signify biocompatibility – the compatibility of plastics with human or animal tissues. Certificate: an official document attesting a certain fact; certification, attestation (Oxford English Dictionary). Certification: A procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product, process or service conforms to specified requirements. (EN 45020:2006 Standardization and related activities – General vocabulary and DIN EN ISO/IEC 17000)
Standards Throughout the evolution of plastics, there have been different claims relating to their environmentally effects. Many of these claims, however, are not based on anything as credible as the results of certified laboratories. To provide generally applicable science based norms standardization organizations worked with experts from different fields of study to create standards for the field of bioplastics. Standards are a set of rules that a product must comply with before it can obtain a certain label. The most important standardization bodies in the world are: ASTM – American Society For Testing and Materials (USA)
ISO – International Organization for Standardization (international)
CEN – European Committee for Standardization (European Union)
CEN (European Committee for Standardization) is an officially recognized standardization body within the European Union. CEN standards are binding for EU countries, and the standards are transferred to individual national standardization structures. This facilitates manufacturers’ entry to the European market once they comply with the standard requirements. The first standard in the field of composting and biodegradation of plastics was issued by DIN in 1997 (DIN V54900) and was later replaced by the European standard EN 13432.
Although each standardization organization has its own standards, they are mutually harmonized. European and American certification organizations both recognize each other’s standards in the field of polymers, plastics and compostable products. When a certificate is issued (e.g. based on EN 13432), the manufacturer can easily obtain a certificate based on other standards. The above-mentioned standards are very similar to one another, only differing in certain additional analyses that have to be performed. This way it is possible to avoid duplication of analyses, which often entails additional costs and administrative burdens. A number of standards issued by all main standardization organizations relate to bioplastics. The main focus is devoted to compostability and the content of renewables. Certification A certificate is an official document used to guarantee a specific characteristic. In the case of biodegradable polymer materials, a certificate is an attestation that a product is degradable under the conditions specified in the standard. In the case of materials made from renewable resources, the certificate proves that the product contains a specific percentage of renewable content. Certification is a process of obtaining a certificate; a process through which a third party issues a written recognition that a product, process or service complies with specific requirements (regulations and standards) under which a product, process or service is certified. Certification organizations for bioplastics The most important certification organizations in Europe are DIN CERTCO and Vinçotte. Both issue certificates relating to bioplastics. DIN CERTCO issues certificates for products made from compostable materials based on four standards that are very similar to one another. In addition to this certificate, Vinçotte also offers certificates for plastics suitable for home composting and for plastics that are biodegradable in soil and in water. Both organizations certify materials made of renewable resources based on the ASTM D6866 standard. Certificates for biodegradable products are also issued by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) in the United States, the Japan BioPlastics Association in Japan as well as by other widely used certification organizations. DIN CERTCO is currently developing a certification scheme for home- and garden compost based on the australien standard as well as a combined logo to combine different characteristics (biobased, industrial compostable, home- and garden compostable,...).
Certification process
Certification organization
Manufacturer
DIN CERTCO, Vinรงotte, Biodegradable Products Institute, Biodegradable Plastics Society
Accredited laboratories (accreditation awarded by the certification body following the standard EN ISO/IEC 17025)
CERTIFICATE Certification label
Buyer
Standardization organization CEN, ISO, ASTM Each standardization organization has its own standards, certification bodies have for the filed of bioplastics implemented mutual recognition of equivalent standards
The process of obtaining a certificate is completely voluntary. The manufacturer contacts a certification organization with an application containing information about the material and the product that they wish to certify. The certification organization then provides a list of laboratories that have valid accreditation to perform the testing methods required by the standard. The laboratories are attested by the certification organization and an independent inspector, and receive accreditation in accordance with the EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. In general, this means that the laboratory is qualified to perform the analyses for which it is accredited. Once the analyses are completed the laboratory sends the testing report to the certification organization, where experts review the results. Based on positive results, the certification organization issues the manufacturer with compliance certificate for products and licenses them to use the certification labels.
Other statements, even if they are called certificates (statement by the manufacturer about the product), which are not based on results of a certified biodegradability analysis that was performed by an accredited laboratory, are not valid. A valid certificate shall contain a label of the certification authority, it should state the standards on which the certificate is based, and a registration number. The validity of the certificate can normally be verified on the certification organization website.
Certification of compostable products Compostability is a characteristic of packaging or plastics that enable them to decompose during the composting process. The EN 13432 standard requires: a) testing on ultimate biodegradability; b) testing on compostability; c) testing on plant ecotoxicity; d) and chemical characterization. These conditions are based on pass-fail values that uniquely distinguish between compostable and non-compostable packaging. Biodegradability, eco toxicity, compostability and the content of heavy metals are the parameters that apply to materials. Materials, intermediates and additives can obtain a registration—an attestation that they are compliant with a standard. They are not entitled to the use of a certification label but advertisement is now possible according to Trademark rules and Trademark usage guidelines. The certificate, certification number and certification label can only be applied to a finished product, as an important factor for obtaining the certificate is degradability, which is linked to the finished product and dependent on its physical form (e.g. thickness). A certificate is assigned for a period of three years, during which verification testing is performed on the product once per year. For material, intermediates and additives notification of registration is valid for six years and undergoes a verification testing every second year.
Only final products shall be certified. Only final products are allowed to be labeled with the certification label proving that a product is compostable but advertising is now possible also for materials, intermediates and additives according to Trademark rules and Trademark usage guidelines.
Each product decompose during the biological waste decomposition process in accordance with specifically defined criteria, and should not have a negative effect on the composting process and the quality of the resulting compost.
Main certification organizations and their certificate labels plastics
COUNTRY
ORGANIZATION
STANDARDS
for biodegradable
CERTIF. LABEL
CERTICATES ATTESTING COMPOSTING
Germany
DIN CERTCO
EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ISO 17088, EN 14995
Germany
DIN CERTCO
EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ISO 17088, EN 14995 + If applicable AS 4736
Germany
DIN CERTCO
AS 5810
Belgium
Vinçotte
EN 13432, EN 14995
Belgium
Vinçotte
Poseben Vinçotte postopek na osnovi EN 13432 pri nizkih temperaturah
USA
Biodegradable products Institute
ASTM D6400
CERTICATES ATTESTING OTHER BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERISTICS Belgium
Vinçotte
Special Vinçotte process based on ISO 14851 ali ISO 14852
Belgium
Vinçotte
Special Vinçotte process based on ISO 17556 or ASTM D 5988 or ISO 11266
Since April 2012, the Belgian certification organization, Vinçotte, has the right to award the Seedling logo that is also used by DIN CERTCO. This is an important step towards clarifying the situation in the area of marking compostable products within Europe. The Seedling logo is owned by European Bioplastics.
The procedure for certifying biobased materials, additives and products from renewable materials Traditional plastics are made from fossil resources, which is not a sustainable solution. This is why the development of plastics is turning towards using renewable resources. Using plastics made from renewable resources reduces the negative environmental impact of the polymer industry as it reduces the consumption of fossil -based resources. There are currently no regulations that would require plastics manufacturers to disclose the presence of renewable resources within a product, however there is increased interest in the industry and among consumer to create and buy environmentally friendly products.
Determination of biobased content is based on the principle of measuring the activity of the 14C isotope. Materials - both those based on fossil resources as well as those based on renewable resurces - are mainly composed of carbon that can be found in three isotopes in nature: 12C, 13C, and 14C. The 14C isotope is unstable, decays slowly and is naturally present in all living organisms. The activity of 14C in living organisms is very stable since is related to the concentration of 14C in the environment which is close to constant. When the organism is deceased, it stops absorbing the 14C isotope from the environment. From that moment onward the 14C concentration starts to decrease due to natural decay of the isotope. The half-life of 14 C is known to be 5 700 years. This is not noticeable in the range of a human life, but within 50,000 years the content of 14C decreases to a level that cannot be measured. This means that the concentration of 14C in fossil resources is negligible.
ASTM D6866 standard using the above principle is the basis for certifying materials, intermediate products, additives and products based on renewable resources.
Main certification organizations and their certificate labels for plastics based on renewable resources COUNTRY
ORGANIZATION
BIOBASED CONTENT
CERTIF. LABEL
20 – 50 %
Germany
DIN CERTCO Additional requirement: volatile solids > 50 % (mass)
50 – 85 %
> 85 %
20 – 40 %
40 – 60 % Belgium
Vinçotte 60 – 80 %
> 80 %
Benefits of certification There are various benefits to certification of products and materials. A certificate distinguishes bioplastics from traditional plastics and proves that a material conforms to standard requirements. This is a clear advantage over other products that do not have the certificate. Products that bear certification logos give consumers a beyond-doubt proof of product/material properties. The certification logo for compostable plastics enables simpler sorting of waste and correct handling and it provides a guarantee about the product's quality.
Conclusion Certification of bioplastics is important as it gives choice to the consumer as well as provides information about the correct handling of the product after it is used.
To prevent misleading statements and false information found in this area (“Green-washing”), expert groups have developed standards to govern this field. Standards are sets of requirements that a product shall conform to. They also prescribe methods for analysis and threshold values for individual parameters. Analyses are performed by laboratories nominated by certification organizations and their test results are used by the certification bodies for assessment and to award certification labels that can be used on final products. The certification logo is proof that a product conforms to specific requirements and is an undeniable advantage compared to products without the logo.
Certification in the PLASTiCE project Within WorkPackage 4, Task 4.5. the introduction of a certification system for compostable plastics is planned for Slovenia (Slopak) and Slovakia. The introduction is modeled on the cooperation between COBRO, Poland and DIN CERTCO, Germany. The process, once implemented, will be made available to other countries.
LINKS DIN CERTCO (Europe, Germany) http://www.dincertco.de/en/products_made_of_compostable_materials.html http://www.dincertco.de/en/din_geprueft_biobased_for_more_sustainability.html Vinçotte (Europe, Belgium) http://www.okcompost.be/en/home/ Biodegradable Products Institute (USA) http://www.bpiworld.org/ Polish Packaging Research and Development Center http://www.cobro.org.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=154% 3 A c e r t y f i k a c j a - w y r o b o w - p r z y d a t n y c h - d o kompostowania&catid=34&Itemid=75&lang=en European Bioplastics –Industrial Composting Factsheet (pages 6-8) http://en.european-bioplastics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/fs/ FactSheet_Industrial_Composting.pdf
Additional information on sustainability aspects of plastics is available at www.plastice.org.
Examples of bioplastics applications Petra Horvat and Andrej Kr탑an
Projekt je izvajan v okviru projekta Srednja Evropa in sofinanciran s strani Evropskega sklada za regionalni razvoj (ERDF).
Dear reader, With the brochure Examples of bioplastics applications we would like to help you find ideas how to implement biplastics in your company and to show you that the use of bioplastics is much wider than just bio-waste bags as most of the users think. The products are separated in different groups and accompanied with the short description of possible use and with an explanation of the advantages of the use of bioplastics. This list of applications of bioplastics was prepared in July 2013 and presents the current overview of the bioplastics applications. To the time you are reading this guide we are sure that few new bioplastics applications are already developed since the field of bioplastics is fast developing. The selection shall serve only as illustration of possible uses of bioplastics and does not represent all possible uses or products. Through the whole project we try to avoid all the company names but at this point we need to include some company names. The images are mostly borrowed from European Bioplastics (tab Press/Press pictures), authors of images borrowed from another source are mentioned below the picture.
We wish you majority of successful ideas of how to use bioplastics
Films, bags Foils made from bioplastics can be used to produce bio-waste bags, compostable bags, bags made from renewable resources, food wrapping and shrink films to pack beverages and also for other applications. The main advantages of the use of bioplastics are environmental aspects, higher consumer acceptance, increased shelf life of the products and composting as an end of life treatment of compostable products.
Compostable shopping bag Author: Aldi/BASF
Bio PE shopping bag Author: Lidl Austria GmbH
Compostable shopping bag Author: Novamont
Compostable transparent flower wrap Author: FKuR
Compostable film for fruit and vegetables Author: Alesco
Compostable shrink film for beverages Author: Alesco
Compostable bag for cosmetic products Author: FKuR
Compostable soap wrapping Author: FKuR, Umbria Olli International
Food packaging Bioplastics food packaging can be used to pack different types of food, from bread and bakery, to fruit and vegetables, sweets, different types of spices and teas to different types of soft drinks. Different types of bioplastic packaging are already available on the market. The main advantages of the use of bioplastics are environmental aspects, higher consumer acceptance, increased shelf life of the packaged food and composting as an end of life treatment of compostable products.
Cellulose based biodegradable bag for organic pasta. Author: Birkel
Compostable fruit net bag Author: FKuR
Water soluble and compostable starch based chocolate tray Author: Marks and Spencer
Compostable PLA container for fruit and vegetables, Source of the photo Plastice
Compostable cellulose based packaging for herbs and spices Author: Innovia Films
Compostable bags for fruits and vegetables, Author: Wentus
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Beverage bottles made from renewable resources Author: Blue Lake Citrus Products
Beverage bottles made from renewable resources Author: Sant’Anna – Fonti di Vinadio
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Compostable cellulose based packaging Author: Innovia Films
Beverage bottles made 30 mass % from renewable resources Author: Coca Cola
Beverage bottles made 30 mass % from renewable resources Author: Heinz
Disposable drinking cups, cutlery and plates Disposable items are often used at picnics, open-air events, as single use food containers, at catering and in airplanes. They produce a huge amount of waste and are hard to recycle because are contaminated with food. One of the main benefits is that such products can be disposed together with food leftovers and in composting plants they can be turned into compost.
Compostable cup for hot beverages, paper laminated with bioplastics. Author: Huhtamaki
Compostable cup for cold drinks Author: Huhtamaki
Bowls and hollow ware made from biobased plastics Author: Koser/Tecnaro
Biodegradable forks Author: Novamont
Biodegradable straws Author: PLASTiCE
Agriculture and horticulture products Biodegradable plant pots, mulch films, expanded PLA trays for horticultural applications Biodegradable plant pots are used to plant the seedlings together with the pot. This way the roots of the plant do not get damages and additionally the pot is then turned into compost and fertilizes the soil. Mulch films are used to suppress weeds and conserve water and mostly are used for vegetables and crops. After the crops are harvested the film can be ploughed in and used as a fertilizer. Ploughing-in of mulching films after use instead of collecting them from the field, cleaning off the soil and returning them for recycling, is practical and improves the economics of the operation. The trays from expanded PLA can be used as conventional EPS trays but are compostable.
Biodegradable plant pot Author: Limagrain
Compostable, biodegradable mulch films to be ploughed into the ground. Author: BASF
Expanded PLA trays Author: FKuR & Synbra
Consumer electronics As we all already know we live in an electronic era. Today casings of computers, mobile phones, data storages and all the small electronic accessories are made from plastics to ensure that the appliances are light and mobile whilst being tough and, where necessary, durable. First bioplastic products in the fast-moving consumer electronics sector are keyboard elements, mobile casings, vacuum cleaners or a mouse for your laptop, and with the time passing by bioplastics are more and more present in electronic devices.
Biodegradable mouse Author: Fujitsu
Keyboard made from biobased plastics Author: Fujitsu
Biodegradable in-ear headphones, made from biobased plastics Author: Michael Young Designer
40 % of the telephone casing made from bioplastics Author: Samsung
Biodegradable and/or biobased phone casings Ventev InnovationsTM
Biodegradable phone casings Author: Api Spa – Biomood Srl
Clothing Bioplastics in clothing sector are replacing conventional plastics or natural materials and are used for footwear and synthetic coated material. One can find bioplastics as a fabric for wedding dress, a jacket or an alternative to leather. The alternative to leather is often used to produce biodegradable shoes. The added value of those products is versatile use also for the most advances high-quality footwear.
Jacket made partially from biobased plastics Author: Du Pont
Biodegradable wedding dress Author: Gattinoni
Biodegradable shoes Source of the image: ecouterre.comGucci
Automotive application As said above bioplastics are used for interior of cars, but bioplastics are present also in other automotive applications. Those applications have very specific requirements (as a fuel line made from renewable resources - nylon).
Fuel line made from nylon from renewable resources – resistant to chemically aggressive biofuels, temperature extremes and mechanical stress Autor: DuPont
Air bag cover made from biobased plastics Author: DuPont
Sanitary and cosmetic products Sanitary and cosmetic products are a source of an unthinkable amount of plastic waste and so the demand to use more sustainable materials is very clear. Some producers use biodegradable materials opposite to some that have replaced the conventional fossil based plastic packaging with more sustainable materials derived from biomass. The disposal of those materials is very simple.
Biodegradable cosmetic packaging Author: Sidaplax
Biodegradable cosmetic packaging Author: FKuR
Biodegradable cosmetic packaging Author: Cargo Cosmetics
Compostable toothbrush, bristles are not compostable! Author: World Centric
Biodegradable hair & body care packaging Author: Sidaplax
Biodegradable hair & body care packaging Author: Eudermic/Natureworks
Biobased hair & body care packaging Author: Procter&Gamble
Textiles – Home and Automotive Bioplastics can be used in a broad range of applications as you were able to see to this point. One of the possible uses of bioplastics is the production of textiles. Different types of plastics can be used to produce those textiles, but the PR messages are promoting their content of the renewable resources, although some of them are also biodegradable. Products made from those textiles have the performance and quality similar to traditional carpets.
Bioplastics carpet Author: DuPont
Bioplastics sofa fabric Author: Tango Biofabric. Tejin
Bioplastics textiles in the luggage compartment Bio PET, Toyota. Source of the image: http:// goo.gl/V4mIJ
Bioplastics sofa fabric pillow fill. Author: Paradies GmbH
Car seat fabric made 100 % from heat resistant bioplastics Author: Mazda Motor Corporation, Teijin
Sport Plastics make sports lighter and more affordable. Most of the sport gadgets are made from plastics and a lot of sport clothes are made from plastics. Also bioplastics are slowly entering this field. Below are listed some sport gadgets made from bioplastics.
Biodegradable airsoft pellets Source: Wikimedia Commons
Biodegradable golf tees Source: EcoGolf
Ski boot made from renewable resources. Author: Salomon
Ski boot made from 80 % of renewable resources. Author: Atomic
Seats at stadium ArenA, made from biobased PE Source: Wikimedia Commons
Other Here are listed some applications of bioplastics which we were not able to list in any different product group.
Biodegradable pencil Author: Telles, Metabolix
Travel luggage made 100 % from renewable resources Author: Arkema
Biobased and biodegradable toys Author: Š BioFactur
Biobased and biodegradable toys Author: Metabolix Zoe b
Biodegradable liquid wood hanger Author: Benetton Group
Fisher UX made from renewable plastics Author: fischerwerke, Waldachtal
Sunglass frames made from renewable resources. Author: Tanaka Foresight Inc., Teijin
Sunglass frames made from renewable resources.Author: Arkema
Project partners: Slovenia:
National Institute of Chemistry (Lead partner) Slopak Plasta Mercator Centre of Excellence Polymer Materials and Technologies PoliMaT
Slovakia:
Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava HrKo Holding
Italy:
University of Bologna ASTER Novamont
Poland:
Polish Academy of Sciences Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials Polish Packaging Research and Development Centre
More information www.plastice.org, www.facebook.com/PlasticeSlovenia and www.YouTube.com/user/plasticeproject