Italcom Biodegradabile

Short-Term Aerobic Biodegradation (Composting)

Refuse that is composted degrades under aerobic conditions. The susceptibility of ECM-treated plastic to biodegradation under aerobic conditions was evaluated using the controlled composting biodegradation test (ASTM method D.5338.92). This test is conducted under optimum oxygen, temperature, and moisture conditions, simulating an intensive aerobic composting process.

Long-Term Aerobic Biodegradation

The long-term susceptibility of ECM pellets and films to biodegradation under aerobic conditions was evaluated using tests for determining resistance of plastics to fungi (ASTM G.21) and bacteria (ASTM G.22 ). These tests measure the degradation of plastics due to fungi and bacteria – they are usually used to prove the resistance of plastics to these organisms but can be used to prove susceptibility. The results of the aerobic tests indicate that both ECM pellets and ECM film will eventually biodegrade in an aerobic environment.

Anaerobic Biodegradation

Refuse (including plastics) disposed of in landfills eventually becomes buried and cut off from any supply of oxygen. For an item to biodegrade in a landfill, it must be susceptible to breakdown by anaerobic microorganisms. The biodegradation of products in a landfill can be determined through a test involving high-rate dry anaerobic batch fermentation (ASTM D.5511-94). The optimal conditions of this fermentation method are stationary (no mixing) and dry conditions similar to those found in landfills. In order to evaluate the biodegradability of the product in landfills, this test was conducted using the ECM pellet as the test material and cellulose as the reference material. The results of this test indicate that ECM pellets do biodegrade under anaerobic conditions.

The tests have made the product complies with the following requirements