Controlled Degradation Additive Masterbatches

There are a range of international standards, and test methods, developed spedfi-cally for biodegradabiUty, product safety, and also for compost-derived products. The main point of differentiation between the various international standards is the percentage of biodegradation required for compliance. 

The main international organizations that have established standards or testing methods are  

Those materials showing a degree of biodegradation equivalent to that of cellulose (maximum permissible tolerance of 5%) are considered to meet the com- 

The only difference is the temperature profile, which in both the ISO and the CEN procedures is continuously at 58 °C, whereas in the ASTM test it follows a temperature profile of 35-58-50-35 °C. 

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Polymers that exhibit controlled degradation through the incorporation of prodegradant additive masterbatches or concentrates. Such polymers oxidise and embrittle in the environment and erode under the influence of weathering. 

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