In oxo-biodegradable plastics, an additive is added in the plastic that encourages it to break down. This additive changes the molecular structure of the plastic which allows it to be broken down and consumed further by bacteria and other microorganisms.

1. OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC
A new way of packaging
Presented by:
Joy Dey

2.  What are degradable and biodegradable plastics?
 Degradable Plastic: A plastic designed to undergo a significant change in its chemical
structure under specific environmental conditions resulting in a loss of some properties that
may vary as measured by standard test methods appropriate to the plastic and the
application in a period of time that determines its classification.
 Biodegradable Plastic: A degradable plastic in which the degradation results from the action
of naturally-occurring micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae.
• What is Oxo-biodegradation?
Oxo-biodegradation is a two-stage process in which a plastic
is first converted by reaction with oxygen to molecular
fragments that are water- wettable. Secondly, these smaller
oxidized molecules are biodegraded and converted into carbon
dioxide, water and biomass, by microorganisms. The rate at
which this happens for conventional plastics is very slow,
taking decades or even centuries. TDPA additives are catalysts
that accelerate this reaction so that it occurs over a few months
to a couple of years.

3.  How Does Oxo-biodegradable Plastic Work?
• The principal chemical additives used for proprietary Oxo-
biodegradable plastic additives isTotally Degradable Plastic
Additive (TDPA).
• TDPA is added in typically small quantities of 2 to 3% to
commodity resins (polyethylene, polypropylene and
polystyrene) during the manufacture of finished plastic
products, using standard manufacturing equipment and
processes. It causes the plastic to degrade at a controlled rate
when the plastic is exposed to photo (sunlight), thermal (heat)
and/or mechanical stress and, in the case of polyethylene
products (such as grocery, shopping and garbage bags),TDPA
causes the plastic to ultimately biodegrade.
• The technology is currently applied to products as diverse as
retail carrier bags, foam packaging, stretch and shrink wraps
and plastic service-ware.

4.  Food Contact Compliance
 TDPA additives may be used in plastic food packaging in Europe and other
countries since they comply with relevant EU and Member State legislation
applicable to food-contact materials. Most of the components ofTDPA additives
may be used in contact with food with no restrictions.
 What are the main benefits ofTDPA incorporated plastics?
 Proven technology in the marketplace
 Provide environmental benefits
 Provide large economic benefits in some end uses
 Cost effective
 Claims are scientifically validated
 Easy to convert using conventional equipment, processes and conditions
 Same excellent physical properties as conventional plastics
 Can be reused and recycled in existing recycle streams

5.  TDPA Technology is an Environmental Win-Win
Because it is an additive technology that is applied to conventional plastic resins, it
complements rather than compromises management strategies that are higher in the
waste hierarchy:
 Reduce – the strength of products containingTDPA is the same as the unmodified
plastics and opportunities for reduction through gauge reduction is unchanged.
 Reuse – degradation of products containingTDPA starts after disposal and products
using the technology can be reused many times.
 Recycling -TDPA incorporated products are fully compatible with the existing recycle
stream
 Recovery - products containingTDPA have the same amount of recoverable energy
value on incineration as the unmodified products
Very importantly,TDPA incorporated products process virtually identically to the
unmodified products and have the same physical properties.This, coupled with their
affordability, differentiates them from other types of biodegradable plastics so that they
are readily adopted and provide these benefits to the greatest number of consumers and
therefore to the environment.

6.  WHAT PRODUCTSAREAVAILABLE IN OXO-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC?
 Carrier bags or “shopper-bags” which consumers use to take away their purchases from the
shop
 Refuse sacks, which consumers buy in rolls at the shop, and use for disposal of their
ordinary household waste.
 Aprons, for the protection of garments, in the home, hospitals, restaurants, workshops etc.
 Bin liners
 Gloves
 Plastic sheeting for a variety of applications in agriculture and horticulture. Plastic film for
wrapping newspapers and magazines.
 Bread bags
 Frozen food bags
 Wrappers for cigarette packets
 Shrink-wrap and pallet-wrap
 Bubble-wrap
 Rigid products such as bottles and cups

7. Thank you