Measuring the biodegradability of plastic materials

Increased demand of goods always creates the increase of supply. Due to the fact that the need for the production of plastic materials is growing year by year, we are facing a great threat to the environment. Prevention of ecological catastrophe is the social responsibility of business. The production of plastic materials is always a process that causes enormous damage to the environment. While we live in conditions in which it is impossible to completely abandon its use, the task of manufacturing companies lies in clearly monitoring the possible consequences. One of the most important factors is the biodegradability of the product produced. It is worth emphasizing once again that the biodegradation of both plastic and other materials must be clearly defined. In order for the manufacturer to properly monitor these indicators, there are international standards that regulate these norms. It is worth noting the important fact that these documents are constantly updated and new ones are created in order to ensure maximum preservation of the environment. We have prepared an article for you in which we have collected several standards that regulate the requirements for methods for testing the level of biodegradability of plastic materials, but at the same time they can be applicable to other materials. If your company is engaged in the production of plastic materials, then you need to familiarize yourself with these provisions. This is especially important for companies that plan to expand their market share and increase production.

Plastics - Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater - Part 2: Method by measuring the oxygen demand in closed respirometer

EN ISO 23977-2:2021

Each company, in addition to all other obligations, bears social responsibility for the product it produces. If your business is manufacturing plastic materials, then you, as a responsible entrepreneur, should conduct a biodegradation assessment of your product. This test is necessary to make sure that the plastic materials produced by your company will cause less harm to the environment. A detailed description of the methodology for this test is given in the International Standard EN ISO 23977-2:2021.

This document specifies a laboratory test method for determining the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. Biodegradation of plastic materials is determined by measuring the oxygen demand in a closed respirometer when exposed to seawater sampled from coastal areas under laboratory conditions.
The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation, however this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials.
NOTE This document addresses plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.

A feature of the above standard is that it can be widely used not only by companies that produce plastic materials. The provisions that are described in this standard may be applicable to other materials that are expected to be biodegradable. If you need expert advice regarding the scope of this International Standard, our staff is always ready to help you.

Plastics - Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater - Part 1: Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide

EN ISO 23977-1:2021

Very often, after use, plastic products can end up in the marine environment. Companies that manufacture plastic materials must definitely pay attention to this fact. All materials produced must be tested for their biodegradation. One of the possible forms of biodegradability of plastic is under the influence of sea water. All requirements for such studies are described in the international standard EN ISO 23977-1:2021.

This document specifies a laboratory test method for determining the degree and rate of the aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. Biodegradation is determined by measuring the CO2 evolved from plastic materials when exposed to seawater sampled from coastal areas under laboratory conditions.
The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation, however this test method is designed to give an indication of the potential biodegradability of plastic materials.
NOTE This document addresses plastic materials but can also be used for other materials.

This international standard is partly similar to the previous one, which we considered, all of its provisions can be applicable not only to companies producing plastic materials. However, unlike the previous one, it studies the biodegradability of materials when exposed to sea water, which makes it more narrowly focused. You can familiarize yourself with the text of the international standard on our website using the link attached below.

Plastics - Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of non-floating materials exposed to marine sediment - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide

EN ISO 22404:2021

Plastic materials are often subject to biodegradation processes under the influence of the marine environment. Also, these manufactured products must be subjected to rigorous inspections. One of the important indicators that must be checked in the production of plastic materials is the amount of CO2 released during decomposition. The international standard that we are talking about now describes to us exactly how to measure this indicator under the influence of the elements of the marine environment EN ISO 22404:2021.

This document specifies a laboratory test method to determine the degree and rate of aerobic biodegradation level of plastic materials. This test method can also be applied to other materials.
Biodegradation is determined by measuring the CO2 evolved by the plastic material when exposed to marine sediments sampled from a sandy tidal zone and kept wet with salt-water under laboratory conditions.
This test method is a simulation under laboratory conditions of the habitat found in sandy tidal zone that, in marine science, is called eulittoral zone.
The conditions described in this document might not always correspond to the optimum conditions for the maximum degree of biodegradation to occur.
Deviations from the test conditions described in this document are justified in the test report.

The above international standard can be useful for companies that are engaged in the production of plastic materials. It describes a methodology that should help you determine what environmental impact the disposal of a product will bring. In order to better understand the issues of measuring the level of emitted CO2, you can contact our specialists for help.

Plastics - Determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials in marine habitats under real field conditions (ISO 22766:2020)

EN ISO 22766:2021

Environmental pollution is a significant threat to the environment. Companies involved in the production of plastic must be aware of the level of their social responsibility and carry out all the necessary measurements of the performance of their product, which can harm the environment. Plastic waste densely fills the territory. Often they remain in coastal areas. We have selected an international standard that measures the biodegradability of plastic products under these conditions EN ISO 22766:2021.

This document specifies test methods for the determination of the degree of disintegration of plastic materials exposed to marine habitats under real field conditions.
The marine areas under investigation are the sandy sublittoral and the sandy eulittoral zone where plastic materials can either be placed intentionally (e.g. biodegradable fishing nets) or end up as litter due to irresponsible human behaviour. This depends on their physical characteristics, form and size of the materials, and on water currents and tidal movements.
This document specifies the general requirements of the apparatus, and the procedures for using the test methods described.


The determination of the level of disintegration of plastic materials exposed to pelagic zones such as the sea surface or the water column above the seafloor are not within the scope of this document.
This document is not suitable for the assessment of disintegration caused by heat or light exposure.
The described field test is a disintegration test and not a biodegradation test. Therefore, it cannot be used for demonstrating biodegradation or for making unqualified claims such as "biodegradable in marine environment" and similar.

A feature of this International Standard, unlike the previous ones, is the scope of its application. It regulates research into the possibilities of biodegradation of plastic materials in the sandy subtidal and sandy eulitoral zones. The multitude of international standards that govern the biodegradability of plastic can be confusing. If you need advice on which international standard would be appropriate, given the specifics of your company, you can contact our specialists.

Biodegradability of the plastic for saving the environment

Environmental protection is the main trend of the time in which we live. Many environmental challenges make every conscious inhabitant of the planet think about this issue. Business representatives cannot remain aloof from these trends. A huge proportion of environmental pollution appears as a result of the activities of large industrial companies. The production of plastic is one of the main areas of activity that poses a threat to the environment. The most dangerous are the waste of used plastic materials, which densely fill the territory of our planet. Given this fact, it is very important for companies that produce plastic materials to understand the level of their social responsibility in order to protect our planet. An important indicator of plastic products produced is their biodegradability. It is necessary to assess the level of this value under the influence of different natural conditions and different natural environments. In the above article, we have focused on sea water and the coastal zone. If there are other territories for your company, then our specialists are always ready to advise you and help you choose the appropriate international standard.

References:

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6ebf5ba8-32ec-40dd-88b8-a1cdebc54b69/sist-en-iso-23977-2-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/c3368155-6cbe-480b-9a5a-ef2babb5f3ea/sist-en-iso-23977-1-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/5e60dfe6-c4ff-4dea-98d3-f73214c597d8/sist-en-iso-22404-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/842b044f-6cbe-4229-bac8-f54f9ad165bf/sist-en-iso-22766-2022