Promoting the use of oxo-biodegradables

The use of oxo-biodegradable (OBD) materials has been widely encouraged around the world with the Middle East spearheading the drive. As the trend attracts more manufacturers and consumers, the availability of OBD materials has been assured by companies serving the vast plastics converting industry. 

EnerPlastics, an SGS Certified ISO 9000/14000/18000 company,  was established in June 2000 as an independent manufacturer of colour, additives and oxo-biodegradable masterbatches. The company markets over 18,000 colours and additives to 58 countries stretching across Europe, Africa, CIS, Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. The company has partnered with many agents/distributors which serve to strengthen its market presence in the region. The company’s secret to success has been to International Plastics News – Middle East & Africa (IRNEA) by Aman ur Rahman, Chairman of Enerplastics.

IRNEA: How long has Enerplastics been involved with oxo-biodegradables?

Mr. Rahman: On the Instructions of the Federal Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Ministry of Environment directed the Emirate Authority for Standards & Metrology (ESMA) to set up a committee of experts to draw up  “Standard  & Specification for oxo-biodegradation of Plastics  and other disposable Plastics Object.” We were invited by ESMA to be part of the Steering Committee to draw up a UAE Technical Regulation (Mandatory Standard) in 2008. This set of standards was approved by the Federal Cabinet in 2009 and has since been published as UAE S 5009:2009.

Concurrent to working  with  the Steering Committee, we started research and  development work in-house to come up with a “recipe” for an oxo-biodegradable additive system for use in the harsh Middle Eastern weather conditions, which when added in low percentage to virgin polyolefinic polymer used for making films, aid in molecular breakdown and changes and eventually to their biodegradation. Several “recipes” were developed and  subjected to testing in advanced European laboratories. Eventually, a “recipe” met the ESMA Standards and the more stringent French standards for oxo-biodegradation.

IRNEA: How have the recent rulings for the compulsory use of the additives affected processors? 

Mr. Rahman: Under the law, it is mandatory for all plastic bag manufacturers to use OBD additives to ensure that the article they manufacture, e.g. plastic carry bags etc, oxo-biodegrade within specified time-frames laid out in the UAE Standards.

IRNEA: Why are oxo-biodegradable materials so important in the Middle East?

Mr. Rahman: The polyolefins produced by Middle East manufactures come second to crude oil productions as far as revenue earnings are concerned. The polyolefins are primarily used as raw materials for producing packaging materials. High strength to weight ratio, durability and thus long life, barrier qualities against air and moisture (hydrophobic) and  chemical resistance make polyolefins as the raw materials of choice for the packaging industries. Howevenike sb