Biodegradability & End-of-Life

Biodegradability means that a material can be broken down by microorganisms under specific conditions into CO₂, water, biomass and inorganic compounds. Compostability is a more tightly defined form of biodegradability that also requires disintegration, absence of ecotoxicity, and compliance with defined time and temperature limits.

Responsible claims require precision:

Most certified compostable foams require industrial composting facilities (typically ~55–60°C). They do not reliably degrade in home compost, landfill, soil or marine environments unless specifically tested and certified for those conditions.
Bio-based feedstock alone does not determine end-of-life behaviour. A material can be fully bio-based and not biodegradable, or biodegradable and only partially bio-based.
Test standards and certification marks define the conditions. Marketing language alone is not sufficient.

Key Considerations

Industrial compostability standards (EN 13432, ASTM D6400) require ≥90% biodegradation within 180 days under controlled high-temperature conditions.
Home compostability (e.g. OK Compost HOME) is a stricter, lower-temperature protocol and is less commonly achieved for foam structures.
Actual end-of-life outcomes depend on the infrastructure available to the end user, not only on the material’s theoretical potential.
Recyclability, mechanical recovery or other pathways should be discussed separately from biodegradability claims.