BASF Develops Certified Industrially Compostable Biopolymer

BASF has developed a certified industrially compostable biopolymer for the manufacture of black and white plant clips. This is for the sustainable cultivation of greenhouse fruits and vegetables.

With clips made from ecovio 60 IA 1552, annual vines such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers can be easily fixed in commercial greenhouses. The clips benefit from the balanced high performance of the biopolymer in terms of strength and flexibility, while being certified as industrially compostable according to EN 13432. They can therefore be collected with the plant residues after harvest and put into the organic recycling in industrial composting facilities (depending on local regulations), where they will biodegrade.

With this solution for the disposal of used clips, persistent microplastics that usually occur in green waste with polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) clips can be avoided. At the same time, more green waste can be converted into valuable compost, contributing to the circular economy.

Clips made from ecovio 60 IA 1552 can be effectively used in horticulture for a wide range of crops and climates throughout the crop growth cycle, easily adapting to the various environmental conditions common in greenhouses, including temperature fluctuations, relative humidity and UV exposure. In contrast to non-biodegradable materials, farmers do not have to remove clips made from ecovio from the plants, but can simply collect them together for industrial composting.

Industrial-scale composting tests conducted by Dutch waste management company Renewi in the Hook of Holland showed that green waste together with clips was successfully industrially composted in accordance with ISO 2020 and biodegraded within six weeks after each crop cycle. “As experts in agricultural waste treatment, we recognize the important value of BASF’s certified compostable ecovio to increase organic waste collection and reduce landfill waste”, said Johan van Paassen, Head of Renewi Recycling.

The BASF biopolymer is also approved for food contact under FDA and European regulations. “We are proud that our ecovio clip-on grade can help farmers improve the sustainability of their horticultural production and contribute to improved compost quality,” said Antonella Pizzolante, Global Business Management Biopolymers at BASF.

“We believe that adopting sustainable agricultural practices can enhance farmers’ reputation and attract environmentally conscious consumers. We are working with Renewi to demonstrate to farmers and consumers that green waste and clip-on can successfully biodegrade in industrial composts, thereby supporting environmentally responsible agricultural practices and improving the overall health of agricultural soils.”