ecoflex^®: the Certified Compostable Plastic

ecoflex^® is the first compostable polymer of BASF on a fossil basis and is on the market for more than a quarter century.

Benefits

ecoflex^® is:

the ideal blend component for bioplastics.

certified compostable and biodegradable.

elastic as well as water and tear resistant.

processable on conventional blown film plants (for polyethylene).

printable and weldable.

suitable for food contact.

Certified – the Compostability of ecoflex^®

Thanks to its special chemical structure, ecoflex^® can be biodegraded by microorganisms and their corresponding enzymes. Under the conditions in an industrial composting plant, the ecoflex^® molecules are biodegraded within a few weeks. In the course of special certification procedures, independent institutes test the suitability of bioplastics regarding biodegradability, compostability, compost quality, and plant compatibility.

ecoflex^® offers various product grades that meet the following international and national standards and regulations for industrial composting.

Quality – Ecologically Tested and Toxicologically Safe

Scientifically accepted tests (e.g. plant growth test, Daphnia test, toxicological tests according to OECD directives) have proven in practice that ecoflex^® has no negative consequences for nature or the environment. Furthermore, ecoflex^® is one of the few biodegradable polymers whose composition complies with the requirements of the European food contact regulation¹ as well as the requirements of the US Food Contact Substance Notification².

^{¹ Commission Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 of January 14, 2011 on materials and objects of plastic, designed to be in contact with food

² According to Food Contact Substance Notification No. 907 of FDA}

ecoflex^® – The Optimal Compound Partner

ecoflex^® is an ideal blend component for the manufacture of plastics from renewable raw materials, making many final applications possible in the first place. Thus, ecoflex^® provides the biobased and compostable BASF polymer ecovio^® with special product properties such as flexibility and toughness.

In addition to PLA, other compound partners such as starch can be used to achieve a specific characteristics profile for the final application. A high ecoflex^® content is particularly suited for the production of flexible film products in the packaging industry. Mechanical characteristics, such as stiffness or puncture resistance, can be varied and specifically adjusted.

overview