www.plastice.org

STANDARDIZATION AND CERTIFICATION OF BIOPLASTICS Petra Horvat, Andrej Kržan National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia

This project is implemented through the CENTRAL EUROPE programme co-financed by the ERDF

...is a project within the Central Europe program. Started in April 2011 ...focuses on the identification and removal of barriers to the faster and more widespread use of sustainable types of plastics ...wants to promote new environmentally friendly, sustainable plastic solutions through complete value chain. …one of expected results: establishment of certification for compostable plastics in Slovenia and Slovakia

...13 partners from 4 countries (PL, SK, SLO, I) ...involves entire value chain and centers of knowledge

… we are trying to reach beyond CE and the partnership

BIOPLASTICS ... are biobased, biodegradable or both. SOURCES

DEGRADABILITY BIODEGRADABLE

FOSSIL NONBIODEGRADABLE

BIODEGRADABLE

BIOPLASTICS

FOSSIL + RENEWABLE NONBIODEGRADABLE

BIODEGRADABLE

RENEWABLE NONBIODEGRADABLE

STANDARDIZATION OF BIOPLASTICS WHY? • Very difficult to distinguish bioplastics from “conventional” plastics • Overcome difference in opinion • To prevent false advertising • Basis for – a guarantee for consumers – a tool for producers

STANDARDIZATION OF BIOPLASTICS HOW? • Developed and published by standardization organizations (ISO, CEN, ASTM, JIS, … SIST, HZN…) • Each standardization organization has own standards • CEN obligatory for EU member states • Common to harmonize with ISO • Standards - Specification (criterion: pass/fail) - Test method, Practice, Determination, Evaluation

STANDARDIZATION OF BIOPLASTICS

SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMPOSTING EN 13432, EN 14955, ISO 17088

ASTM D6400

AS 4736 ind.

AS 5810 Home

> 90 % within 12 weeks (2 mm sieve fraction)

As EN 13432

As EN 13432

Time 2 X longer than EN 13432

Heavy metals

EN 13432, Annex A

~ 10 x EN 13432 – USA ~ 3 x EN 13432 – Canada

As EN 13432

As EN 13432

Biodeg.

> 90 % within 180 days or relative to +control

> 60 % (homopoly.) > 90 % (copoly.) within 180 days or relative to + control

As EN 13432

Time 2 X longer than EN 13432 (at 25 oC)

Negative effect and plant toxicity

> 90 % germination rate and biomass of two plants

As EN 13432

As EN 13432 + worm test (ASTM E 1676)

As EN 13432 + worm test (ASTM E 1676)

Disint.

STANDARDIZATION FOR BIOBASED • Use of renewable resources • Basis: radiocarbon (14C) analysis Standards • ASTM D6866 • CEN/TS 16295:2012 • ISO/CD 16620 not yet! • Result related only to carbon!

STANDARDIZATION FOR BIOBASED Requirements – min. 50 % of organic compounds – non-toxic • Medical products are excluded Result • % of renewable carbon • No pass/fail • Range 0 – 100 % - how much is enough?

CERTIFICATION • proof issued by an independent authority • based on a standard specification/method • volontary, commercial

• a document and a logo, on-line record • public recognition • For bioplastics: DIN CERTCO, Vinçotte (Europe)

CERTIFICATION OF BIOPLASTICS

CERTIFICATION PROCESS

- Valid certificate contains a name of the certification organization, certification number - Other claims, although also called certificates, are not valid.

CERTIFICATION OF COMPOSTABILITY • Products certification • Intermediates/additives registration • Chemically unmodified materials and components of natural origin • Organic components > 50 % • Printing dyes - compostable • Blends and laminates – all compostable, ½ thickness

• Certification of products made of registred materials (IR, thickness)

COUNTRY

ORG.

STANDARDS

CERTIF. LABEL

CERTIFICATES ATTESTING COMPOSTABILITY DIN CERTCO

EN 13432, ASTM D6400, ISO 17088, EN 14995

Germany

DIN CERTCO

As SeedlingTM+ if applicable AS 4736

Germany

DIN CERTCO

AS 5810

Belgium

Vinçotte

EN 13432, EN 14995

Belgium

Vinçotte

AS 5810

Germany

CERTIF. LOGOS FOR COMPOSTABILITY

Biodegradable ASTM D6400 products Institute CERTIFICATES ATTESTING OTHER BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTRISTICS Special Vinçotte process Belgium Vinçotte based on ISO 14851 or ISO 14852 Special Vinçotte process Belgium Vinçotte based on ISO 17556 or ASTM D 5988 or ISO 11266 USA

COUNTRY

ORGANIZATION

BIOBASED CONTENT

20 – 50 %

CERTIFIC. OF BIOBASED CONTENT

DIN CERTCO Additional Germany requirement: Volatile solids > 50 % (mass)

50 – 85 %

> 85 %

20 – 40 %

40 – 60 % Belgium

Vinçotte

60 – 80 %

> 80 %

CERTIFICATION LABEL

CONCLUSION • Standardization and certification of bioplastics complex • Rapidly changing • Solid basis of test methods and specifications • Certification has a marketable value • Need to inform industry and users

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Andrej Kržan ([email protected]) Petra Horvat ([email protected]) www.plastice.org /PlasticeSlovenia /user/plasticeproject 18