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Eduardo Von Roost is director of RES Brasil, specializing in additives and technologies in the plastics segment

Oxo-biodegradables are plastics that, after receiving pro-degradant additives, have their fragmentation facilitated by the influence of oxygen, light, temperature and humidity. They have several applications and some models became famous for being used in small bags (learn more about it in the article "Oxo-biodegradable plastics: an environmental problem or solution?").

Portal eCycle interviews the director of RES Brazil, Eduardo Van Roost to discuss some important points related to the production and consumption and disposal of oxo-biodegradables. THE RES Brazil is specialized in additives and technologies in the plastics segment, exclusive representative in Brazil of the British symphony, manufacturer of the prodegradant additive d2w™, element that determines the oxo-biodegradability characteristics of plastics commonly used in oxo-biodegradable packaging.

Portal eCycle: Regarding those who suggest that oxo-biodegradable plastics after their disposal turn into microplastics, what would you have to say about it?

Eduardo Van Roost: Oxo-biodegradable plastics d2w™ do not become “microplastics”, because when they degrade, they are no longer plastics, but a material filled with oxygen that attracts water and microorganisms for its complete biodegradation. What turns into microplastic and attracts toxic substances, which can enter our food chain, are common plastics, the so-called green ones, from renewable sources or not. And also merely fragmentable plastics instead of true oxo-biodegradable ones.

Can you believe that the so-called oxo-biodegradable plastics do not leave traces in the environment after their disposal?

You can be sure of this. Oxo-biodegradable plastics d2w™ biodegrade as promised because they meet international standards and are therefore certified, including by ABNT, in accordance with standard PE-308.01, accredited by Inmetro. What does not biodegrade, pollute and kill wildlife when incorrectly discarded are conventional plastics, even the so-called green ones originated from sugarcane ethanol, and the fake biodegradable ones.

As for the biodegradation process of this type of plastic, what stages are foreseen in the standards to be met?

In any type of truly biodegradable plastic, it must first be degraded for further biodegradation. There is no biodegradation without an initial degradation into fragments, as with a simple fallen tree leaf. After degradation, either by oxidation in the case of oxo-biodegradables or by hydrolysis in the case of hydro-biodegradables, the biodegradation phase takes place.

The last phase is the analysis of waste, common for both types, to ensure that they are not ecotoxic.

About the origin of plastics, what are the perspectives for such materials in their non-renewable and renewable origins?

Plastics can be made from renewable or fossil sources. The production of conventional plastics from a non-renewable source consumes about 3% of each barrel of oil. Even if plastics derived from oil and natural gas did not exist, it – oil – would continue to be extracted and consumed. Currently, there is no production in the world capable of replacing plastics of fossil origin with plastics of renewable origin.

What determines the oxo-biodegradable condition in plastics classified as such would be the pro-degradable additives used. Are metal salts such as manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel or others identified in the composition of these additives?

With over 15 years of knowledge in the field, the most common transition metal salts used in oxo-biodegradable additives that I know of are: iron, cobalt and manganese. I don't know about the use of nickel as a pro-degrading agent and I have never seen a published scientific work related to nickel. If you have any, I would appreciate it if you could send it.

In relation to the company they represent in Brazil, Symphony, which pro-degradant additive does it sell and how does its presence occur in the market?

THE Symphony Environmental is a public company in the United Kingdom with shares traded on the London and New York Stock Exchanges. Because of this, all their actions are public and transparent. It operates in the segment of additives and oxo-biodegradable plastics, with a presence in packaging from serious and recognized companies in more than 96 countries around the world. symphony produces and owns the trademark d2w™, its oxo-biodegradable pro-degradant additive.

In terms of certifications available on the market, which ones are met by the products you represent?

O d2w™ is certified by ABNT in accordance with the PE-308.01 standard, as well as in accordance with ASTM D6954-04 (US), BS 8472 (British), AFNOR T51-808 (French) and UAES 5009:2009 (United Arab Emirates), which include a standard guide for the exposure and testing of plastics that degrade in the environment through a combination of oxidation and biodegradation and ecotoxicity tests.

Comparatively, is there any analogy between compostable and oxo-biodegradable plastics?

Composting and biodegradability are different concepts. Oxo-biodegradable plastics d2w™ are not sold as compostable plastics, although they have met EN 13432 (EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 are standards for compostable plastics) by biodegrading by 88.86% in just 121 days. Plant-derived compostable plastics cannot be recycled alongside conventional plastics and require separate collection and shipment to industrial composting plants to meet biodegradability standards in an industrial composting environment. Oxo-biodegradable plastics can and should be disposed of along with conventional plastics for later recycling.

Some academic studies involving institutions such as the University of São Paulo, Faculty Assis Guzarcs, Federal University of Santa Maria or Aston University, in Birmingham, United Kingdom, point to questions about the total biodegradation of objects whose composition takes place in oxo-biodegradable plastics. What brand position do you represent about it?

The University of São Paulo study was not carried out with d2w™. We notify the author and we have the answer where he clarifies that he has not performed tests with oxo-biodegradable plastics available on the market. If you need the answer, just ask. The work described as the Faculty Assis Gurcaz was also not done with d2w™. The work described by the Federal University of Santa Maria did not follow the standards for testing oxo-biodegradable plastics (ASTM D-6954 or BS 8472) and also did not perform a previous check whether the oxo-biodegradable plastic bags were false or true. And the work of the University of Aston is in no way contrary to oxo-biodegradable plastics and is developed precisely to develop tests for oxo-biodegradable plastics and the author Gerald Scott – now deceased – is internationally known as the father of oxo-biodegradable plastics.

Some international entities, including the Bioplastics Council of the Industrial Society of Plastics (SPI), the European Association of Plastic Recyclers (EuPR), criticize oxo-biodegradable plastics, questioning standards, the effective biodegradation. How do you see such a position?

The aforementioned international entities are not specialists in oxo-biodegradable plastics and represent the commercial interests of compostable plastics or those from renewable sources, as well as common plastics, which compete commercially with oxo-biodegradable plastics.

Are the risks associated with petroleum greater than the risks associated with plastics of renewable origin?

It is not because it comes from sugarcane, corn or any other renewable source that this type of plastic is better than that made from petroleum. Plants that can give rise to plastics have important impacts related to their cultivation. Deforestation of the area for planting, erosion, use of pesticides, depletion, contamination of the air, soil and water by pesticides and pesticides, high consumption of energy and water, among many other impacts known to be greater than those of plastic derived from fossil sources. All this to produce a non-degradable, disposable and polluting plastic while oil continues to be extracted every day to generate energy and power engines around the world?

Is starch plastic from renewable sources and is it compostable?

No. Plastics that contain starch also have parts of their composition made up of plastics of fossil origin. To be compostable, plastic must meet the deadlines and percentages of biodegradation provided for in composting standards (examples: ASTM 6400 and EN 13432). If a plastic does not meet the requirements, even though it is derived from starch or any other renewable source, it cannot be labeled as compostable.

Biodegradable plastic derived from starch or other renewable sources is biocompatible with the human body?

No way. Biodegradability is not the same thing as biocompatibility. Biocompatibility with the human body is tested by other methods.

Does the anaerobic biodegradability of PLA plastic emit CO2?

No. All biodegradability in the absence of oxygen will generate methane, a gas approximately 23 times more potent as a greenhouse effect than CO2.

Can green plastic from a renewable source be biodegradable?

Yes, with the addition of the d2w™ and still maintain the recyclability characteristics.

Does ABNTPE 308.01 provide for composting tests?

No, the ABNT standard, as well as all others related to oxo-biodegradable plastics, provide for degradation and biodegradation tests in an open environment. Standards for compostable plastics in industrial composting plants are different from standards for oxo-biodegradable plastics.

Is Francisco Graziano's opinion against oxo-biodegradable plastics correct?

Mr. Graziano was notified by the RES Brazil to clarify your opinion about oxo-biodegradable plastics and if you were referring to the d2w™. He replied saying he was not aware of the d2w™ and its certifications. Therefore, he issued an irresponsible opinion on a subject that he is completely unaware of.

What about the negative statement about oxo-biodegradable plastics issued by SPI Bioplastics?

How can they claim misleading certifications issued by accredited entities based on current international standards. Certifications are not only misleading when it comes to bioplastics, defended and represented by this entity? SPI Bioplastics represents the interests in which oxo-biodegradable plastics compete commercially.

Why does ABIPLAST not recommend the use of oxo-biodegradable additives?

Perhaps for the same reason big green plastic manufacturers do. The emergence of oxo-biodegradable technology has helped to further demonstrate how much conventional or green plastic is polluting and harmful to animal life when improperly disposed of in the open environment. Entities linked to this type of plastic attack the oxo-biodegradable plastic citing the phenomena that will happen with their own conventional plastic products: the degradation in millions of polluting microplastics and its consequent impossibility of recycling. Plastics d2w™ do not generate microplastics, do not attract toxic substances and can be recycled as much as conventional plastics before degradation has started.

Regarding the recyclability of oxo-biodegradable plastics, do they present any risk when recycled together with conventional plastics?

Oxo-biodegradable plastics d2w™ are recycled along with conventional plastics in Brazil since 2003 and worldwide since the mid-1990s. We have reports and proofs from professional recyclers attesting to the recyclability of oxo-biodegradable plastics d2w™ without any harm to recycled material. What is not recyclable along with conventional plastic is compostable plastic from renewable sources. Even if oxo-biodegradable was not recyclable (but it is 100% recyclable), only 12% of plastic in Brazil is recycled. In other words, 88% of the rest that is never recycled would be 100% biodegradable, without toxic residues, preserving the environment and animal life. This is not good?

Given everything we've talked about so far, what kind of considerations would the precautionary principle make in support of your prospective product consumers?

It is our practice to be careful and responsible. That's why d2w™ meets environmental protection standards that common plastics do not meet. We hope that these good practices are observed by third parties before publishing any article articles citing serious brands recognized for their responsibility and commitment to the truth. our product d2w™ is available worldwide and is certified, including Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) under ISO standard, which concludes to be plastics d2w™ 75% better than conventional plastics and those of renewable origin when improper disposal into the environment is a real possibility. Our attributes are supported by reports and ACV that allow environmental labeling types I, II and III. Therefore, unlike conventional plastics, plastics d2w™ are environmentally certified in accordance with national and international standards. Lack of precaution and responsibility means ignoring the facts and distorting a problem with conventional plastics or those of renewable origin as if they were problems with oxo-biodegradable plastics. What is being taxed, banned or being restricted in the world are all conventional plastics, even the green ones, which are non-degradable. Certified oxo-biodegradable plastics are accepted and used around the world, particularly where common ones are prohibited.

More information about the d2w™ can be purchased on the website of RES Brazil.