Additive that Makes Plastic Materials Biodegradable

According to biodiesel pioneer Chemrez Technologies Inc., DOST-ITDI (Department of Science and Technology- Industrial Technology Development Institute) just verified a unique additive that makes plastic materials biodegradable.

DOST-ITDI issued Environmental Technology Verification-013 for BioMate, manufactured by First In Colours Inc. (FIC), a ChemrezTech sister company.

BioMate is the first such additive in the P75-billion Philippine plastics film and bags industry to be verified by the ITDI as making plastics both photo and biodegradable, although many imported additives sold in the local market have made similar claims.

With BioMate, some plastic materials would brittle easily in 1 to 9 months through the process of photo degradation. This process is the breakdown of plastic by ultraviolet light and thermal energy from the sun.

Pollution of waterways which hurts marine life, clogging of sewage that causes flood, and choking of landfills will now be prevented since there will be a biodegradation of some plastic materials through using the said product.

At present, BioMate is being used to produce oxo-biodegradable plastic bags for leading supermarkets, drugstores and many other retailers and food outlets in the Philippines. It is also being exported abroad.

BioMate is nontoxic and free from heavy metals, including cobalt, making it suitable for use in plastics for food-contact applications.

This product will surely help the country to lessen the pollution brought by plastic materials. [via businessmirror.com.ph]