standardization and certification of bioplastics...certification of bioplastics petra horvat, andrej...

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

www.plastice.org

STANDARDIZATION AND

CERTIFICATION OF BIOPLASTICS

Petra Horvat, Andrej Kržan National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana,

Slovenia

...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.

BIOPLASTICS

FOSSIL

BIODEGRADABLE

NONBIODEGRADABLE

FOSSIL + RENEWABLE

BIODEGRADABLE

NONBIODEGRADABLE

RENEWABLE

BIODEGRADABLE

NONBIODEGRADABLE

SOURCES DEGRADABILITY

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

Disint.

> 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)

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

Germany 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

USA Biodegradable

products Institute ASTM D6400

CERTIFICATES ATTESTING OTHER BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTRISTICS

Belgium Vinçotte

Special Vinçotte process

based on ISO 14851 or ISO

14852

Belgium Vinçotte

Special Vinçotte process

based on ISO 17556 or

ASTM D 5988 or ISO 11266

CERTIF. LOGOS

FOR COMPOST-ABILITY

CERTIFIC. OF

BIOBASED CONTENT

COUNTRY ORGANIZATION BIOBASED

CONTENT

CERTIFICATION

LABEL

Germany

DIN CERTCO

Additional

requirement:

Volatile solids

> 50 % (mass)

20 – 50 %

50 – 85 %

> 85 %

Belgium Vinçotte

20 – 40 %

40 – 60 %

60 – 80 %

> 80 %

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 (andrej.krzan@ki.si)

Petra Horvat (petra.horvat@ki.si)

www.plastice.org

/PlasticeSlovenia

/user/plasticeproject

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