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P.O. Box 70 | 69 Hartigan Drive | North Sydney, N.S. Canada | B2A 3M4

Toll Free: 800 668 2700 | Tel: 902 794 9685 | Fax: 902 794 7592

Oxo-Biodegradable CPP

Fact Sheet

Biodegradable plastics are gaining a more prominent position in a wide variety of consumer

products and packaging applications. However, there is considerable confusion in themarketplace over what technologies are available and best suited to meet specific requirements.

It is important to note that Biodegradability and Compostability should not be interchanged or

implied to mean one and the same. A plastic material that can be classified by current standardsto be compostable is also by extension biodegradable. However, not all biodegradable plastics

are by current definition compostable. This is an important distinction when considering

packaging applications.

There are currently two classes of biodegradable plastics.

Biodegradable Plastics produced from agricultural sources (bio resins such as PLA)and some petrochemical sources. These plastics undergo a one-step biodegradation

process when exposed to environmental ambient conditions. Plastics in this classification

are recognized by the American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard6400. This standard essentially relates to commercially managed composting operations

and defines test procedures and acceptable criteria for that purpose. Plastics that meet the

test criteria are considered to be compostable.

Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics produced from conventional petrochemical based sourcesmodified with additives that result in a two-step biodegradation process when exposed to

environmental ambient conditions. Plastics in this classification are recognized by theAmerican Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard 6594-04. These materialswill biodegrade in the environment but do not necessarily meet the current requirements

for compostability.

Each class of plastics has a role in the drive to reduce the environmental impact of plastics in the

post consumer waste stream. End users will need to specify which classification of plastics isnecessary or desirable for their applications.

Copol International Ltd. is licensed to incorporate EPI-Environmental Product Inc.s Oxo-Biodegradable additive technology (TDPATM) in our CPP film products. Our monolayer film

products CP301, ACP375 and MPP201 have been tested and validated by EPI for oxidative

biodegradation properties following established ASTM testing protocol. We will add the suffix

DG to our regular product code denoting that it has been produced with the EPI TDPA TMadditive. All of our packaging labels will also exhibit the EPI logo indicating visually that the

film material has been produced with the TDPATM additive.

Developers of Custom CPP Film Produc ts


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FAQs About Oxo-Biodegradation

1. What is Oxo-Biodegradation?

Oxo-biodegradation is a two-step process by which the material first starts to break down

into smaller molecular units under exposure to oxygen and heat. These smaller molecular

units are then further broken into carbon dioxide, water and biomass through reactionwith naturally occurring microorganisms. The Oxo-biodegradation is initially triggered

through the interaction of an EPI TDPATM additive with the basic polymer chain.

2. Do Oxo-Biodegradable plastics contain corn starch?

No. Some earlier biodegradable plastics technologies did contain cornstarch in relatively

high concentration. Though the cornstarch component would itself biodegrade resultingin what appeared to be a breakdown of the plastic polymer. In fact, the polymer itself

remained virtually intact in the environment. Only its basic form changed with the

breakdown of the cornstarch component.

3. By definition, are Oxo-Biodegradable plastics recognized as being Biodegradable?

No. Because Oxo-Biodegradation is a two-step process rather than a single step process,plastics incorporating this additive technology are currently not recognized as being

Biodegradable. A number of organizations including the Oxo-Biodegradation Plastics

Institute (www.oxobio.org) are working with the American Society For Testing and

Materials (ASTM) to develop test standards and protocols that would include a pass/failstandard for oxo-biodegradable plastics and recognize those that pass the test criteria as

Biodegradable.

4. Is there a critical factor restricting Oxo-Biodegradable plastics from being considered

Biodegradable?

Yes. Under the current ASTM 6400 standard, Biodegradable plastics must achieve

60% biodegradation within 180 days under specified composting conditions. Plasticsincorporating EPIs TDPATM additive technology do biodegrade but at a slower rate than

currently specified in ASTM 6400.

5. Are any ASTM Test Standards applicable to Oxo-biodegradation?

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) acknowledges theoxo-biodegradable technology in ASTM 6954-04. This is a standard guide specifically

developed for plastics that degrade initially by an oxidative process and subsequently

biodegrade. D6954 prescribes the tests to be done in order to rate materials in terms oftheir ability to degrade, biodegrade and to assess their ecotoxicity impact to the

environment of disposal.

6. Are products produced with EPIs TDPATM

additive technology considered compostable?

Currently, plastics incorporating EPIs TDPATM additive technology do not fully meet the

requirements for classification as compostable. Plastics produced with TDPATM

additives


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degrade and ultimately biodegrade slower than the rate specified in current standards forcompostability.

7. Is there a shelf life associated with Copols DG designated CPP film materials?

From testing conducted by EPI, the typical shelf life of a DG designated CPP film

product under normal pre consumer exposure conditions is 18 months. This means thatCopol will not inventory any of these DG designated CPP products. Each order will becustom extruded.

8. Are basic film properties of a -DG designated CPP film different from a non -DG film?

No. Basic film properties such as clarity, tensile strength, stiffness, heat sealing are not

affected by the inclusion of the TDPATM additive. The only obvious difference is the end

coloration of the finished rolls. They will appear darker than a comparable non DGdesignated CPP film.

9. Does a Copol DG designated CPP film product process any differently than a non DGdesignated CPP film?

Based on the experience from converters and end users processing our DG designated

CPP film products, there is no measurable difference in process performance of these

films.

10.Is there special labeling associated with Copol -DG designated CPP films?

Yes. All pallet and roll labels will carry a Use Before date and the EPI logo indicatingthat the film has been produced with the TDPATM

11.Are -DG designated CPP films suitable for food packaging applications?

The TDPATM additive meets FDA compliance requirements for food contact packagingapplications. However, Copol International Ltd. has decided to offer -DG designated CPP

film for only non food packaging applications at this time.

12.Should scrap -DG designated material be segregated differently?

That will depend upon local scrap recycling regulations and policies of recyclingcompanies. The TDPATM additive is used in very low concentrations in the original CPP

film. When introduced into the normal scrap stream, the ultimate concentration level will

be diluted significantly. It is unlikely that downstream recycling of any -DG designated

scrap would create concerns for reuse of recycled materials. However, it would be wise toverify with local authorities.

13.Is there a specific recycling label that applies to this classification of plastics?

None at the present time. In time, there undoubtedly will be specific requirements for

labeling all biodegradable plastics with a unique recycling label.

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