Biodegradation

A process which involves the breakdown (decomposition) of a material by micro-organisms. A minimum of 90% of the mass of bio-plastic material has to be broken down into CO2, water and mineral elements or compounds within 6-months if it is to comply with BS EN 13432:2000 & BS EN 14995:2006.

The process is generally split into three stages:
1. Biodeterioration, where abiotic factors, such as wind, rain, heat, etc. starts to weaken and erode the structure of the material.
2. Biofragmentation, or Disintegration, is where micro-organisms breakdown internal structural bindings, reducing the material into smaller compounds and elements.
3. Assimilation is the final stage which involves the broken-down material being absorbed into micro-organisms.