AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, has introduced a new accelerated biodegradation testing method that reduces evaluation times to just one third of those required by conventional testing standards. The breakthrough is expected to significantly enhance the agility of innovation in biodegradable plastics and compostable material development.
As the packaging industry intensifies its shift toward circular economy models, the demand for compostable solutions has surged. Yet regulatory testing procedures — such as those outlined in UNE-EN 13432 or EN ISO 14855 — remain lengthy and costly, often delaying product development cycles and increasing barriers to market entry.
In response, AIMPLAS has developed a proprietary test that subjects plastic materials to simulated industrial composting conditions and measures the conversion of polymeric carbon into CO₂. This enables researchers and companies to rapidly screen and validate new formulations with considerably less time and resource expenditure.
“This innovation represents a strategic breakthrough for companies, enabling faster and more efficient industrial and commercial decision-making,” said AIMPLAS in a statement. “Thanks to this approach, companies can obtain preliminary results in significantly shorter timeframes, allowing them to identify the most promising formulations early on, implement re-engineering processes in formulation and additive development, and optimise resources before entering official certification procedures.”
While the test is not a substitute for formal certification — which still requires compliance with established standards such as UNE-EN 13432 — it serves as a powerful pre-certification tool. By narrowing down the most viable candidates early in the development process, companies can reduce risk and accelerate the route to market.
The methodology is positioned as a technical screening filter, particularly useful for R&D departments working on compostable materials. AIMPLAS expects the test to be widely adopted by firms seeking to streamline development timelines and meet sustainability goals more rapidly.
This development further cements AIMPLAS’s role as a key innovation player in sustainable plastics and packaging, offering advanced tools that support both environmental compliance and business competitiveness.
