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 scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste 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 EU contribution No data Address 361,Rue J.F. Breton 361 34033 Montpellier France See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH DEPARTMENT Netherlands EU contribution No data Address 59,Bornsesteeg 59 6700 AA Wageningen See on map Total cost No data CENTRE DE RECHERCHES POUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT L'ENERGIE ET LE DÉCHET - GIE France EU contribution No data Address Avenue Dreyfous Ducas 291 - Zone Portuaire de Lima 78520 LIMAY See on map Total cost No data Catar - CRITT Agroressources France EU contribution No data Address 118,Route de Narbonne 118 31077 Toulouse See on map Total cost No data Dangerous Goods Management B.V. Netherlands EU contribution No data Address 307,Schipholweg 307 1171 PL Badhoevedorp See on map Total cost No data GBF - NATIONAL CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY Germany EU contribution No data Address 1,Mascheroder Weg 1 38124 BRAUNSCHWEIG See on map Total cost No data NOVAMONT SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Fauser 8 28100 NOVARA See on map Total cost No data TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND Finland EU contribution No data Address Tietotie 2 02044 ESPOO See on map Total cost No data