Grupa Azoty Receives Certifications for Biodegradable Polymer Granules

Grupa Azoty Receives Certifications for Biodegradable Polymer Granules

(IN BRIEF) Grupa Azoty S.A. has achieved certifications confirming the biodegradability and compostability of their envifill® granules line, a polymer line designed for disposable items. The OK compost Industrial certificate verifies that products made from these granules can undergo industrial composting, while the OK compost HOME certificate guarantees their full biodegradability in backyard composters. Additionally, the envifill® F and envifill® TPS product lines received the Seedling mark, exclusively awarded to compostable materials. These certifications are vital for marketing these granules, as they address the growing concern of post-consumer waste and offer eco-friendly alternatives for disposable products. Grupa Azoty’s commitment to green products aligns with circular economy and European climate policies.

(PRESS RELEASE) TARNÓW, 23-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Grupa Azoty S.A. has obtained certificates indicating the compliance of the envifill® granules line with the EN-13432 standard, thus confirming their biodegradability and compostability. The OK compost Industrial certificate verifies that products made from the Group’s granules can undergo composting in industrial composting facilities. On the other hand, the OK compost HOME certificate serves as a guarantee that products made from these granules are completely biodegradable in backyard composters.

In addition to these certifications, the envifill® F and envifill® TPS product lines have received the Seedling mark, which is awarded exclusively to compostable materials.

The new certifications hold significant importance in the context of marketing the granules in individual markets. The envifill® polymer line is specifically designed for the production of disposable items such as plastic bags, protective gloves, unit packaging and bio-waste bags. These types of products currently make up the largest portion of post-consumer waste, frequently ending up in landfills.

The OK compost HOME certification confirms that waste derived from products made from envifill® F granules will naturally decompose into carbon dioxide, water and biomass, without environmental harm or the generation of microplastics. For instance, bio-waste bags made from envifill® F granules eliminate the need to empty them before placing waste into backyard compost or bio-waste bins as the bag will decompose entirely within a few days.

One form of recycling is organic recycling, which involves the decomposition of waste through aerobic (composting) or anaerobic processes occurring under controlled conditions and with the participation of microorganisms to produce organic matter or methane. The OK Compost Industrial certification means that post-consumer waste in the form of products created from envifill® F granules is suitable for organic recycling. Products featuring the OK compost mark meet the requirements of the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/ EEC).

“Developing a portfolio of green products is a key objective of the Grupa Azoty Group’s Strategy and our response to the requirements of circular economy and European climate policy. International certifications are a proof that our products are fully biodegradable and compostable, and this is crucial to expanding our reach to environmentally conscious customers,” says Grzegorz Kądzielawski, Vice President of the Grupa Azoty S.A. Management Board.

The new envifill® line, developed in 2022, incorporates Grupa Azoty’s proprietary technology for obtaining thermoplastic starch that is made from bio-renewable and compostable materials and contains no plasticizers. The products are designed for applications in extrusion blow moulding, injection moulding and other technologies, including 3D printing technology.

The shelf life of envifill® products depends on the conditions of use and their composition. Under standard conditions, at room temperature and without direct exposure to high humidity and temperature, products made from envifill® granules retain their qualities for many years. For the degradation process to begin, the presence of microorganisms is necessary, as well as appropriate moisture levels and, in the case of industrial composting, elevated temperatures.

Media Contact:

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Fax: +48 14 633 07 18
Email: kontakt@grupaazoty.com

SOURCE: Grupa Azoty