TESTING | BIODEGRADABILITY
development cycle. Correlation of the model results with known degradation behaviour for commer- cially available compostable materials, particularly those represented by the molecular structures and compositions used in the model’s training data, is strong, said Tammy Deblock, CEO of Aropha. “As materials become more novel or move
Above: Aropha Console graphical user interface allows
customers to manage everything they need to while working with Aropha for their biodegra- dability testing
behaviour of new formulas or to create new blends by looking for synergistic effects when combining materials. These first two test methods start with a pow-
dered material and measure mineralization, and the company is now working on a new, accelerated test method for the high-throughput system that can evaluate how fast a product will disintegrate. “We are looking at the microscale to see how fragmentation is taking place. This could have interesting new application potential for films,” said Deconinck.
Aimplas announced last year that its new
accelerated biodegradation test method – which uses simulated industrial composting conditions to measure the conversion of polymeric carbon into CO2
further outside those boundaries, the output remains useful directionally, but with a wider confidence range – similar to how other predictive tools are used in early R&D,” she explained. The company continues to refine the model so that it stays current with new materials. Initial focus was on how raw materials and additives are expected to influence biodegradation behaviour. “For additives specifically, we’ve conduct- ed targeted studies where we isolate and evaluate the impact of introducing a given ingredient into a base formulation. The goal is to understand how that additive shifts degradation behavior – whether it accelerates, inhibits, or otherwise changes the profile – while still meeting the desired performance characteristics,” said Deblock. The company has also built an understanding of how polymers behave in their tests and has begun to map how combinations of materials are likely to perform. Currently, Aropha is working on refining its
– can perform an evaluation in one-third of the time needed for standard tests. The approach allows companies to “identify the most promising formulations early on, implement re-engineering processes in formulation and additive develop- ment, and optimise resources before entering official certification procedures,” it said.
Digital platform Ohio, US-based Aropha introduced its Biodegra- dation Studio, a digital platform that combines its artificial intelligence-based simulation and predic- tive modeling tool, ArophaAI, with its accredited lab services for conventional biodegradation, ecotoxicological, and compostability testing. Also new is an updated version of the Aropha AI simulation tool. An initial version of ArophaAI assessed well-defined small molecules, but the latest version can also evaluate complex substanc- es, including polymers, mixtures, and ingredients with unknown structures. The platform is an early-stage screening tool, which doesn’t replace ASTM or field testing, but provides directional insight much earlier in the
22 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2026
mixtures and formulations model and is looking for partners interested in joint development efforts, said Deblock. She noted that the usability of AI has dramatically increased over the past year or two, with more open-source platforms available to build tools, as well as advances to the security of user data. Deblock said that the company is working towards including additional processing and property constraints, in addition to biodegradation, in the model. This type of “master model” is where AI becomes even more useful, she predicted.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
https://greenbottomline.com �
https://cjbiomaterials.com �
www.astm.org �
https://bpiworld.org �
www.dincertco.de �
www.aimplas.net �
https://bioplastics.org.au �
www.jbpaweb.net/english �
www.hydramarinesciences.com �
https://rebiolution-project.eu �
http://basf.com �
https://compostmanufacturingalliance.com �
www.compostablebydesign.com �
https://normecows.com �
www.aropha.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: AROPHA
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