Oxo-biodegradable plastic debate back on the agenda

By Anne Bruce

- Last updated on GMT

Michael Stephen, Deputy Chairman of Symphony
Michael Stephen, Deputy Chairman of Symphony

Related tags Biodegradable plastic

Plastics companies have been warned that they must adopt oxo-biodegradable technology quickly if they want to retain their export markets.

A growing number of countries worldwide are banning plastics which are not oxo-biodegradable, Symphony Environmental Technologies deputy chairman Michael Stephen warned delegates at an international conference in Zagreb last week.

Countries including Pakistan and the UAE banned all non-oxo-biodegradable disposable plastics imports this year.

Iran, Yemen, Morocco, Balkan states and some African countries are among other countries to have passed laws which state that consumer plastics must be oxo-biodegradable, with fines for those who break the regulations, and confiscation of their products, said Stephen.

Oxo-biodegradable was popular in rapidly developing countries which have a big plastic waste problem, Stephen told delegates.

Re-igniting debate

However, his remarks sparked outrage at trade association European Bioplastics, as they re-ignited an eight year row over what biodegradable means​.

A spokeswoman for the Association, which represents 70 member countries across Europe, told FoodProductionDaily.com that oxo-biodegradable plastics were just conventional plastics with an additive in them to make them break down after a set period.

She commented: “The use of artificial additives is not really bio-degradation. Oxo-biodegradeable is presented as a novel solution; however, oxo-biodegradable plastic will never be compostable or bio-degradable in the way that we use the term.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Symphony told this site that the additives used in the production of oxo-bio plastic were harmless to the environment.

Solution or problem?

The oxo-bio technology was seen as solution to dropped litter in many countries, as, for example, an oxo-biodegradable crisp packet dropped in the street might break down after six months.

Using this technology defends the plastic industry and retailers from allegations that their products can lie or float around in the environment for decades; Stephen told the FESTA-CROPAK annual packaging conference for the Balkan region.

He added: “Compostable plastics cost up to 400% more than normal plastic, whereas oxo-bio plastic costs less than 5%.​”

And oxo-bio does not generate methane, even in landfill, whereas bio-based plastics do, he said.

The spokeswoman for Symphony added that this type of plastic is most popular in the European counties of France, Spain and Portugal as well as Eastern Europe and overseas markets including UAE and Pakistan. It had not been widely adopted in the UK.

Symphony works with companies in the food industry including Lidl, McDonalds and Subway.

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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4 comments

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Adoption in the UK

Posted by richard,

The spokeswoman for Symphony is not telling the full truth at the end of this article. Oxos were adopted in the UK by the market leading supermarket - Tesco, and the ethical Co-operative but both have moved away from the technology due to the fact there was no real proof of ultimate biodegradation, i.e. no proof it works.

I'd love to see proof that a multilayer oxo crisp packet will completely degrade in 6 months after being littered. He is clearly in la-la land.

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d2w oxo-biodegradable plastic is not eco-toxic

Posted by shikha,

. D2w oxo-biodegradable plastic which degrade in the environment by a process of oxidation initiated by an additive formulation, and then biodegrade after their molecular weight has reduced to the point where naturally-occurring micro-organisms can access the material. At the end of that process it is no longer a plastic and has become a material which is inherently biodegradable in the same way as a leaf, but if collected during its useful life it can be recycled. After degradation the plastic can no longer be seen, and it cannot block drains or entangle wildlife. During the intermediate phase of degradation in case of oxo-biodegradable plastics fragments are created but the molecular weight of the fragments get smaller and smaller until there is nothing left except naturally-occurring materials such as hydro-peroxides, which are rapidly scavenged by micro-organisms. Using the test methods prescribed by BS 8472, American Standard D6954-04 and EN 13432 it has been shown that oxo-bio is not eco-toxic

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Lack of scientific information on OBPs causes unfair reactions

Posted by Emo Chiellini,

At the University of Pisa since late 70’s we are involved in the design and synthesis of biodegradable polymeric materials for biomedical & environmental applications.
The assessment of biodegradability of both polymeric materials & relevant plastic items under different environmental conditions (solid media: soil & compost) and aqueous media, started since more than 30 years ago, is currently ongoing according to standardized test methods and specifications.
The comments by Mr Ernesto Moreno on the ultimate destiny of “oxidized fragments” of oxo-biodegradable plastic items can be classified as “pin points” suited for “Canterbury’s Tales” comedy as they denote an absolute lack of scientific & technical documentations.
Before emitting “Salomonic statements” on hot-spot issues, Mr Moreno should come to Pisa and rinse his “reputable” scientific vests in the River Arno as did on the past the well known writer, Alessandro Manzoni, author of “The Betrothed” (I Promessi Sposi).

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