Differences between packaging materials: compostable, biodegradable, and biobased solutions
Exploring the world of bioplastics
In recent years, the packaging industry has seen a growing demand for more sustainable solutions, like bioplastics, a viable alternative to conventional petroleum-based materials. The key distinction of bioplastics lies in their source material and, for some, their capacity to biodegrade or compost. However, terms like “compostable, “biodegradable”, “biobased” are often misused. Therefore, understanding the differences between these materials is crucial to making an informed choice.
Biobased, biodegradable and compostable: what is the difference?
According to the European definition of bioplastics, “A plastic material is defined as bioplastic if it is biobased, biodegradable, or both.”
Biodegradable is defined as the inherent ability of certain polymers to undergo biodegradation, a chemical process in which they are metabolized into water, carbon dioxide and biomass, by the action of microorganisms. Finally, biobased materials are derived in whole or in part from biomass (living organisms, renewable resources) such as plants.
For greater clarity, we can point out that materials are defined as biobased with reference to origin: bio-based refers to the renewable feedstock used to produce the material/product and does not necessarily mean also biodegradable. Instead, biodegradable materials, referred to end-of-life by definition, can be bio-based and fossil-based.
Going into even more detail, it is possible to state that “biodegradable” describes a material that can be transformed by microbial activity into water, carbon and biomass. The process of biodegradation and its outcome can vary considerably depending on the surrounding environmental conditions, the material or application. For a product, the isolated claim “biodegradable” without indicating specific standards or environments in which the biodegradation takes place could be misleading.
Compostable describes a material that biodegrades under specific conditions and time frames without releasing harmful substances. Specific conditions are described in standards, such as the European standard on industrial composting for packaging EN 13432. For a product, the isolated claim “compostable” without reference to industrial or home composting conditions, could be misleading.
A focus on biobased polypropylene options
Biobased plastics offer an attractive solution because they are produced from renewable resources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. For example, Taghleef’s bioPP films can be used in the same applications as traditional grades and guarantee the same excellent technical performance and machinability.
Biobased PP films are also available for graphic arts applications, branded as Derprosa™ bioBLUE. Made from renewable resources, such as waste cooking oil (second-generation feedstock) or tall oil on a mass balance approach, our bioPP solutions contribute to removing CO2 from the atmosphere (*Each kg of Renewable PP removes up to 4 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere with fossil depletion reduction potential by up 80%). At their end of life, they are designed to be recycled in existing polyolefin recycling streams.
All Taghleef Industries bioPP films are ISCC PLUS certified according to mass balance criteria.
Benefits of compostable plastics
Compostable materials offer a significant environmental advantage over traditional fossil-based alternatives, especially when it is highly contaminated by food. If disposed of properly, they can be composted together with their organic contents, without introducing impurities and help divert biowaste from the residual waste stream. Compostable plastic packaging is ideal for organic waste management, facilitating the reduction of total waste sent to landfills.
An additional benefit is that compostable packaging is often perceived positively by consumers, who are increasingly aware of environmental issues. Many companies are adopting compostable films not only to reduce their environmental impact, but also to strengthen their corporate image and attract a sustainability-conscious consumer segment.
In line with its commitment to provide alternative solutions, Taghleef is working on expanding its NATIVIA® range of biobased and biodegradable films by adding new solutions enhanced with Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) biopolymers. By incorporating PHA into our NATIVIA® films, to produce – as a first step – flexible packaging which can be certified biobased, industrial and home compostable, we aim to develop innovative packaging solutions that contribute to reducing reliance on finite fossil-based resources and to promote the valorization of biowaste and the production of quality compost.
Choosing the right biobased solution requires a clear understanding of the characteristics of each material and their environmental impact. The correct choice depends on the intended use and available disposal infrastructure.
