The challenges of Biodegradable packaging
Environmental Context
Plastic pollution has a serious impact on oceans and marine life. Every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the sea. Single-use packaging accounts for a major proportion of this waste, and much of it cannot be recycled. Biodegradable packaging therefore offers a way of limiting this pollution and even improving the soil through composting. Two birds with one stone.
Regulatory Requirements
- The PPWR Regulation (2025/40) now governs packaging on the European market. It requires all packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2030.
- The SUP Directive bans oxo degradable plastics and encourages composting.
Did you know? In the United States, New Jersey will require 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2034 (Ropes & Gray LLP).
Materials and Emerging Technologies
New-Generation Bioplastics
Several bioplastics stand out for their performance and biodegradability. PHA is (obviously) one of them:
- PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), produced by bacterial fermentation, is totally biodegradable, even in the marine environment, and leaves no toxic residues.
- PLA (polylactic acid), derived from maize starch, offers rigidity and transparency, but requires industrial composting.
Nota Bene: mixed PHA/PLA formulations improve thermal resistance up to 80°C while accelerating degradation, reducing the carbon footprint by 35%.
Other Innovative Alternatives
Research is exploring bio-PE and bio-PP produced from plant waste. These polymers offer increased durability and recyclability. Materials based on cellulose and lignocellulosic fibres are being developed for short-life applications. The aim is to diversify solutions and optimize the performance/environment ratio. To be continued…
Biodegradability: Standards and Dertification
- Standard EN 13432 specifies the criteria for industrial compostability:
- Degradation ≥ 90% in 12 weeks
- Fragments ≤ 10 mm after 3 weeks
- Absence of toxic residue
- NF T51-800 certification defines domestic compostability with requirements tailored to the individual composter.
- ASTM and ISO standards: these complete the international framework for biodegradable plastics. These standards guarantee compatibility with treatment processes and limit environmental impact.
Bioplastics and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
LCA assesses the impact of packaging over its entire life cycle, from production to end-of-life. It also measures water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The result? Compared with fossil plastic, biodegradable solutions show an average 25% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
Industrial Solutions for Biowaste Recovery
Encouraging Large-Scale Industrial Composting
What is industrial composting? These platforms ensure controlled decomposition, thanks to precise management of temperature, air humidity and the mass of waste being broken down. This process, which ranges from simple to threefold and whose speed is at least proportional to the quality of the compost, is favoured over a “slow” but more natural degradation process that complements domestic composting.
Methanisation Units Integrated into Production Sites
Methanisation enables bio-waste to be recycled by producing biogas and an organic residue called digestate. The digestate can be placed directly on the production site, converting the organic waste into renewable energy. The aim is to be able to satisfy (albeit partially) the needs of a site. The circle is complete…
Public-Private Partnerships & Sectoral Co-Management
The creation of partnerships between the public sector, industry and specialist operators means that the investment needed to develop infrastructure can be pooled. By networking in this way, it is possible to optimize flows, plan operations in a concerted manner and drive sustainable local industries. Through co-management, each stakeholder benefits from increased traceability and shared expertise, so that industrial bio-waste can be recycled.
Biodegradable Packaging: Challenges and Prospects
The development of industrial composting sites remains too limited, particularly outside Europe. Less than 20% of biodegradation waste is treated in suitable infrastructure. Why is this? In the absence of adequate infrastructure, and a regulatory framework that is deemed unsuitable, selective collection must be financed.
Heavy investment, both public and private, is needed to set up a genuine circular value chain: installation aid, public-private arrangements, innovative financing, etc.
Partnership with PHA Sourcing
When you partner with PHA Sourcing, you gain access to a global network of certified suppliers, ensuring traceability and regulatory compliance. Our logistics expertise optimises costs and delivery times to provide you with high-quality PHA pellets. We support your integration of biodegradable packaging into your supply chain with a tailor-made, technical and economic service.
PHA-type biodegradable packaging is emerging as a concrete response to today’s environmental and economic challenges. By combining innovative materials, respect for the environment, regulatory compliance and an optimised supply chain, it offers manufacturers a high-performance, responsible solution.
To discuss your project, make an appointment with our teams!
