Biodegradable plastics
ecoflex® – the original among the certified compostable plastics – developed by BASF
ecoflex® is the first biodegradable and certified compostable polymer of BASF on a fossil basis and is on the market for more than a quarter century.
Certified – the Compostability of ecoflex®
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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
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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
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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.