1

1

An overview on biodegradation:standards and certifications

Fernanda Farachi and Francesco Degli InnocentiNOVAMONT S.p.A.

2

2

What is biodegradation?

Why is biodegradation �‘important�’ today?

Which materials/products are �‘biodegradable�’?

3

3

everything is �“biodegradable�”!

�• the organic carbon of any substance, after a series of degradation processes, more or less extreme and more or less prolonged, can be oxidized into carbon dioxide through microbial respiration.

4

4

The term �“biodegradable�” can be misleading

In spite of its very large use (and abuse), the term biodegradable is not helpful because it is not informative. The term does not convey any information about the specific environmentwhere the biodegradation is supposed to happen, the rate which will regulate the process (fast, slow, geological), and the extent of biodegradation (partial or total conversion into CO2).

5

5

Why is biodegradation important?

�• The impact of polymers on our current society, having a degradation time of decades and decades is different from the impact of polymers degrading with a rate compatible with the input rate in the environment.

�• The key factor, in waste management, is the rate of waste production which, nowadays, is very high.

�• The vast diffusion of plastics in the society can only be solved by a �“removal rate�” which is similar to the �“production rate�”.

6

6

The solution!

�• Biodegradation can be a solution to the problemof waste production and management�…..

�• �…on condition that �‘biodegradation�’ is definedand verified in a �‘standard way�’, suitable to the current needs in the environmental area!

7

7

Need for standardisation�• Biodegradable materials and products have been

on the market since 15-20years.�• During this period there has been a great effort for

the development of :�– Testing procedures able to generate reliable,

reproducible and quantitative experimental results. �– Accepted evaluation criteria: standards

in order to allow the transparency of the evaluation process and to avoid claims based on qualitative elements.

8

8

Available standards

9

9

The European norm

�• EN13432 Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation- Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging.

�• EN14995 Plastics - Evaluation of compostability -Test scheme and specifications

10

10

Starting point

�• Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste

�• (Official Journal L 365 , 31/12/1994 p. 0010 �– 0023)

�• http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/1994/en_394L0062.html

11

11

Final point

�• EN 13432:2000

�• Mentioned by the Official Journal of the European Communities L 190 12/07/2001 P.0021-0023 (Harmonised norm)

12

12

Technical content of EN 13432:

the key point is that �‘biodegradation�’ is considered in the context of a

real organic waste treatment called �‘composting�’

13

13

Compostability is a set of properties

14

14

Biodegradability�• Organic carbon CO2 + water�• Test method: EN 14046 (ISO 14855)�• Matrix: mature compost�• Temperature: 58°C

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Time (months)

biod

egra

datio

n %

15

15

Disintegrability (EN 14045)

Item under test

compost

16

16

Heavy metals and other elements subject to restriction

�• Limits to be checked (mg/kg) or ppm

Zn 150 Cr 50

Cu 50 Mo 1

Ni 25 Se 0,75

Cd 0,5 As 5

Pb 50 F 100

17

17

ECOTOXICITY:A compostable material shall not have

Ecotoxic effects( 2 plant germination and growth tests)

18

18

Need for certification�• Compliance to EN13432 is today assessed within a

certification process.�• The Certification is released to �‘compostable products

producers�’ by a third party institute (a certification body) based on clear identification of products, scientificdocumentation based on the EN13432 tests requirements, continuous surveillance activity.

�• Certification is a �“garantee�” of material performance and the certified product/material is �‘easily recognizable�’ bythe public, by means of a LOGO.

�• Certification allows transparency in the market �• Certification can be a very effective means of

communication and marketing.

19

19

Certification

�• Certification programmes have been established on the basis of the EN 13432

�• Well established LOGOsare today available in Europe.

�• The two main certification bodies are Vinçotte (Belgium) and DIN CERTCO (Germany).

20

20

Certification Process

Material Laboratory tests

CertificationInstituteCertificate

Certified Material carrying a LOGO

Surveillance/inspection activity

EN 13432

21

21

The most recent developments

�• Standard norm ISO17088 has been recently issuedand it will be the global reference for the nextyears.

�• ISO17088 is perfectly compatible with the European Norms.

�• China is developing a standard in this area: �• ISO 17088 can be a very helpful reference for

harmonization, in view of a growing global market of biodegradable and compostable items.

22

22

Summarizing�• The main standards on biodegradation and composting are:

�– EN 13432 (focused on packaging) �– EN 14995 (with criteria identical to EN 13432, focused on

plastics)�– ISO17088 which is the international reference globally accepted

�• All of the above mentioned standard norms deal with biodegradation within the terms of organic recovery through composting

�• Certification according to the above mentioned standards offers a valid marketing tool and a guarantee of performance for the final user.

23

23

Thank you for your attention.