additives feature | Oxo-degradable debate


UK-based Tesco has stopped using oxo-degradable PE carrier bags across its stores


molecules through recycling… APR asks those who advocate and specify degradable additives to consider the sustainability implications of degradable additives that lower the functionality of recycled post-consumer plastics when included with recyclable plastics. APR invites promoters of degradation additives to explain the impact of such materials on the active recycling of bottles, forms and fi lms. APR also invites the presentation of life cycle analyses that show environmen- tal improvement afforded by the additives.


Napcor, the US National Association for PET Con- tainer Resources, has issued statements opposing the use of degradable additives in PET packaging, saying that they pose a threat to recycling. Its position paper states:


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Degradable additives are marketed as an environmentally responsible alternative to


conventional plastic packaging and some brand owners and opinion leaders have embraced them. Closer inspection reveals that degradable additives provide no real environmental or societal benefi t, and put signifi - cant investments in truly valuable recycling infrastruc- ture at risk. Ostensibly these additives allow the plastic to break down under certain circumstances. In reality, degradable additives are a signifi cant threat to the plastics recycling industry and may actually be worse for the environment.


Some high-profi le companies have decided against selling and using oxo-degradable additives, and gone public with their decisions. For example, BASF was quick to end the sale of oxo-degradable additives, which it acquired as part of Ciba’s business in 2009. It stopped sales of the products in July 2010. They were used to manufacture degradable PE mulch fi lm. At the time of the announcement, Jürgen Keck, head


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of global business for biodegradable plastics at the company, said: “BASF has opted for biodegradable plastics that are fully biodegradable and compostable in accordance with standards such as European norm EN 13432.” These include its Ecofl ex and Ecovio grades. The UK’s largest supermarket group Tesco an-


nounced that it was to stop using oxo-degradable PE carrier bags across its stores in the summer of 2011. The company, which had been using oxo-degradable additives in its bags since 2006, cited doubts over the environmental benefi ts of the technology raised by a UK


References:


1. Roediger Agencies cc; Polymer Science Building Analytical Labora- tory; De Beer Street, Stellenbosch 7600; 6th March 2012; “Recycling Report on d2w oxo-biodegradable Plastics”. 2. Jakubowicz, J. Enebro “Effects of reprocessing of oxobiodegradable and non-degradable polyethylene on the durability of recycled materials”, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 97, 316-322, (2012).


42 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2013


government commissioned study (http://bit.ly/1boKJgU) as well as poor mechanical performance as key factors in its decision. The company said it was replacing the bags with new non-degradable PE alternatives that are thinner and use up to 15% recycled PE.


Reserving judgement Finally, a few words of caution from Rüdiger Baune- mann, director general of PlasticsEurope Deutschland, the German arm of the pan-European trade association for plastics manufacturers:


more information available. We are speaking about a very complex topic with various parameters such as raw materials, application sectors, life cycle assess- ments and end-of-life questions. As we have a strong policy for a risk-based approach and sound science in all our activities, we think it is too early for a fi nal judgement.


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‘Have your say’ Let us know your views on the pros and cons of oxo-degradable additives for plastics. Email your comments to: editorial@compoundingworld.com.


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Click on the links for more information:  www.biodeg.org (OPA)  www.wellsplastics.com  www.dcci.unipi.it (Pisa)  www.european-bioplastics.org  www.novamont.com  www.plasticsindustry.org/BPC (SPI)  www.basf.com  www.tesco.com  www.plasticsrecycling.org (APR)


www.compoundingworld.com


We have to be cautious with an assessment of oxo-degradable plastics. There is a need to have


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