Compostability and biodegradation assessment
Companies that develop compostable materials must conduct tests to ensure that their products are suitable for the needs of the material to be packaged and for composting via industrial or domestic processes.
At Compostability Lab By ITENE we assess compostability and biodegradation to help companies to:
- Ascertain whether a material, additive, intermediate or final product can be recovered through compostability.
- Obtain the main international certifications.
Obtain the most important compostability certifications at global level
Ensure that your materials, auxiliaries, intermediate and final products will be recovered through compostability
These tests, approved by the main global standards, can be applied to different types of cellulose and plastic materials and to various kinds of additives and products, such as bags, packaging or single-use utensils.
Download Compostability Lab by ITENE brochure!
Which compostability test phases can ITENE perform?
ITENE laboratories are accredited by ILAC MRA according to the international quality standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
We can produce test reports recognized by BPI, TÜV AUSTRIA, DIN CERTCO, EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS, COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS (REAL) and AUSTRALASIAN BIOPLASTICS (ABA).
Through these reports, companies can obtain the main certification marks:
INDUSTRIAL COMPOSTABILITY
The TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO, BPI, European Bioplastics, ABA and REAL industrial compostability certifications
HOME COMPOSTABILITY
TÜV Austria, DIN CERTCO, ABA and REAL home compostability certifications.
What stages of the compostability tests can we carry out?
Compostability Lab by ITENE was the first centre in Spain accredited to carry out tests in all four compostability phases according to the UNE-EN 13432 standard.
Characterisation of materials
- We determine the content of organic matter and the levels of regulated metals and other hazardous substances.
Biodegradation
- We define the biodegradation levels of the product, material, intermediate product or additive.
Disintegration
- We verify the physical disappearance of a material in pilot-scale and laboratory-scale compostability tests.
Compost quality
- We analyse the physical-chemical properties of the compost obtained and carry out toxicity tests on plants.
Testing requirements
Soil & Water Biodegradability
ITENE can also determine the environmental impact on soil, as it is recognised by TÜV AUSTRIA for the execution of tests with the OK Biodegradable SOIL mark. In our laboratories, we test for biodegradation, ecotoxicity, heavy metals and fluorine.
Other services
- ISO 14852 – Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in an aqueous medium.
- OECD 301 B – Ready biodegradability by CO2
- ISO 9439 – Water quality – Evolution of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of organic. compounds in aqueous medium – Carbon dioxide evolution test.
- ISO 23977-2 – Plastics – Determination of the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials exposed to seawater.
- ASTM D6691-17 – Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum.
- ISO 19679 – Determination of aerobic biodegradability of non-floating plastic materials at a seawater/sandy sediment interface.
- ISO 23832 – Plastics – Test methods for determination of degradation rate and disintegration degree of plastic materials exposed to marine environmental matrices under laboratory conditions.
- EN 14987 – Plastics – Evaluation of disposability in wastewater treatment plants – Test scheme for final acceptance and specifications.
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- Quick response
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- We respond to new queries in less than 48 hours.
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- Accredited experience
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- More than 250 compostability testing services carried out since 2017.
- Over a hundred companies have entrusted their testing to us.
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- Specialised team
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- Made up of highly qualified and PhD researchers in the field.
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- Own equipment and facilities
- ENAC accreditation
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- ITENE became in 2019 the first centre in Spain accredited by ENAC to carry out compostability tests in its four phases based on the EN 13432 standard.
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- Main industrial and home certification schemes
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- With ITENE’s test reports, you will be eligible for the eleven certification schemes we work with.
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- Quick response
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We verify the compostability of your materials or products in three steps:
- Documentary analysis to evaluate the composition of the material.
- Draft of the proposed tests according to the case (characterisation, biodegradation, disintegration, final compost quality).
- Testing and issuance of the reports to enable the applicant to obtain the industrial or home compost certifications.
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- To various kinds of additives and products such as bags, packaging and single-use plastic items.
- On different types of materials, mainly cellulose-based or plastic.
In the case of plastics, these tests will enable you to verify that your material or product complies with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy which stipulates that all plastic packaging sold in the European Union must be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030.
Check out our brochures
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How can I help you?
Amparo Gala
Head of Testing Services Unit
