Labelling biodegradable products

Objective

The main objectives of this project is are development of guidelines, testing scheme and predictive models for labelling biodegradability of (agro) industrial polymers in relation to their environmental fate in agriculture and waste treatment.

In order to rearch these objectives, the following specific objectives and tasks are assigned
(a) To obtain better knowledge of available and recently developed so-called "biodegradable" materials, including environmental fate and
characterization methods.

(b) To determine the degree and rate of biodegradation and environmental safety of different biodegradable materials (e.g. starch based, polysters, etc.) using laboratory tests, including test development/improvement if necessary.

(c) To determine the degree and rate of "real-time biodegradation" and environmental safety of different biodegradable materials in practical relevant environments -either agricultural or composting ones.
(d) To determine and model the correlation of biodegration data from standard laboratory tests and "real-time" biodegradation experiments.
(e) To develop predictive models for a fast and economical acceptable pre-evaluation of biodegradability of materials for use in industrial development of new biodegradable products.

(f) To develop guidelines for labelling biodegradability of polymeric materials in relation to their environmental fate in agriculture and waste treatment.
For this project, a multidisciplinary consortium has been created including scientits (agriculture and polymer science), marketing sectors (material development and waste treatment industrles), and legislators (participants of national and European standardization committees concerning packaging and biodegradability) in order to define the market viability of new biodegradable products.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › polymer sciences
• agricultural sciences › agriculture, forestry, and fisheries › agriculture
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › waste management › waste treatment processes

Programme(s)

• FP4-SMT - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing, 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 0102 - Measurement and testing in the industrial development phase

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Centre National du Machinisme Agricole, du Génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forêts

Address

361,rue J.f. Breton 361
34033 Montpellier
France

Links

Participants (7)

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

Netherlands

Address

59,bornsesteeg 59
6700 AA Wageningen

Links

CENTRE DE RECHERCHES POUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT L'ENERGIE ET LE DÉCHET - GIE

France

Address

Avenue Dreyfous Ducas 291 - Zone Portuaire De Lima
78520 Limay

Links

Catar - CRITT Agroressources

France

Address

118,route De Narbonne 118
31077 Toulouse

Links

Dangerous Goods Management B.V.

Netherlands

Address

307,schipholweg 307
1171 PL Badhoevedorp

Links

GBF - NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY

Germany

Address

1,mascheroder Weg 1
38124 Braunschweig

Links

NOVAMONT SPA

Italy

Address

Via Fauser 8
28100 Novara

Links

TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND

Finland

Address

Tietotie 2
02044 Espoo

Links