The plastics sector is looking for sustainable solutions - and compostable bioplastics are definitely a good option.

It does require testing though, as the materials have to comply with international standards such as EN-ISO 14855 in the EU and equivalent standards worldwide. Not terribly surprisingly, that takes time and money, which limits research options.  

AIMPLAS has developed a methodology for assessing the biodegradability of plastic materials three times more rapidly than conventional testing methods. This quicker turnaround means that companies can see which of the various materials they are working on are feasible.

The new accelerated biodegradation test subjects materials to simulated industrial composting conditions in order to measure the conversion of polymeric carbon into CO₂.

The test does not replace the standardised tests required for compostable product certification (as defined by UNE-EN 13432 and related standards) - but it is a way to identify the most promising samples. This reduces risk and accelerates the path to certification.

With this approach, companies can obtain preliminary results in significantly shorter timeframes. This enables them to identify the most promising formulations early on, implement re-engineering processes in formulation and additive development, and optimise resources before entering official certification procedures.