Understanding How a Material Degrades Means Really Understanding its End of Life.
Biodegradability and compostability tests according to European and international standards.
Biodegradability as a Scientific Process
The sustainability of materials does not end in the design or production phase. The real issue is what happens after use, when materials enter natural systems or treatment processes.
If a material is designed to be biodegradable or compostable, it must demonstrate how it performs over time within specific biological environments: compost, soil, water, or treatment systems.
Biodegradability is in fact a measurable biological process, determined by the interaction between the composition of the material, the environmental conditions and the activity of the microorganisms that drive its degradation.
For this reason, the main international standards require standardized experimental tests that allow the analysis of:
- The speed of biodegradation
- The degree of disintegration of the material
- The safety of degraded material for the environment
In the ARCHA laboratory, these processes are studied through internationally recognized scientific protocols, providing reliable data for the development and validation of materials designed for the circular economy.
Scientific infrastructures dedicated to the study of biodegradation
Over time, ARCHA has developed a laboratory entirely dedicated to the study of biodegradability and compostability of materials.
The test activities are carried out in controlled experimental environments that allow to reproduce the biological conditions in which the materials are destined to degrade.
The laboratory has:
- 11 climatic chambers
- 2 growth chambers
- Monitoring systems for biological degradation processes
- Controlled environments for composting and biodegradation tests
These infrastructures make it possible to observe the behavior of materials during the degradation process over time and to accurately measure the biological and chemical parameters involved.
The tests are carried out according to internationally recognized protocols used in the main certification schemes of biodegradable materials.
Areas of Application of Biodegradability Tests
Biodegradability tests can be applied to a wide range of materials, components and products for different industries.
Materials
- Bioplastics and biodegradable polymers
- Paper and cellulosic materials
- Textile fibres and composite materials
- Adhesives, inks and additives
- Rubber and technical materials
Products & Applications
- Food and non-food packaging
- Compostable coffee capsules
- Flexible films and bags
- Personal hygiene products
- Agricultural materials
- Fashion and accessories
Over the years, the ARCHA laboratory has analyzed materials and products belonging to very different supply chains, contributing to the development of innovative solutions designed for an end-of-life compatible with the biological processes of the environment.
International Tests & Standards
Laboratory tests are carried out according to European and internationally recognized technical standards.
Among the main references:
- EN 13432 – Compostability of packaging
- ISO 14855 – biodegradation under composting conditions
- ISO 16929 – disintegration of plastic materials
- OECD 208 – ecotoxicity test on plants
ARCHA is recognized by several international bodies involved in the main certification schemes on the biodegradability of materials, including:
- TÜV Austria
- DIN CERTCO
- REAL
- BPI
- Japan BioPlastic Association
These awards attest to the laboratory’s ability to perform tests in accordance with the protocols used in internationally adopted certification systems.
Biodegradable Leather
In recent years ARCHA has extended its research and testing activities also to the leather sector and materials used in the fashion industry.
The tanning industry is in fact one of the most important examples of circular economy, transforming by-products of the food industry into high-value materials for footwear, leather goods and furniture.
To scientifically assess the biodegradability of these materials, ARCHA has developed a dedicated certification scheme.
The Biodegradable Leather certification allows manufacturers to demonstrate the environmental performance of leather through laboratory tests based on recognized scientific protocols.
Two marks identify the different areas of biodegradability:
- Green Label – biodegradability in industrial composting
- Blue Label – biodegradability in wastewater treatment systems
This approach allows you to communicate the sustainability characteristics of materials in a clear and verifiable way.
iVirty – the biodegradability of finished products
In addition to the study of individual materials, ARCHA has developed an evaluation system dedicated to finished products.
The iVirty brand identifies items that can be classified as biodegradable according to technical specifications developed by the ARCHHA group.
The evaluation system integrates several laboratory tests to analyze:
- Biodegradability
- Disintegration
- Ecotoxicity
The trademark can be applied to products such as:
- footwear
- Bags
- Belts
- Clothing
- Fashion Accessories
This approach makes it possible to evaluate not only the materials that make up a product, but the entire article, encouraging the development of solutions designed according to eco-design principles.
DOWNLOAD Resources & In-depth Materials
To learn more about the activities of the ARCHA biodegradability laboratory, various information materials are available.
Downloads
Do you want to Check the Biodegradability of your Material?
If you are developing a material, packaging or product that is designed to be biodegradable or compostable, the ARCHA laboratory can define the most suitable test path to verify its performance.
FAQ – Biodegradability
Can you tell me which tests are needed for a specific label (e.g. OK compost or EN 13432)?
How long does a biodegradability or compostability test take?
Test duration depends on the standard and environment (industrial composting, home composting, soil, water, etc.). Some tests last a few weeks, others several months. We provide an indicative schedule when defining your test plan.
Can ARCHA support us if the material does not meet the requirements at first attempt?
Absolutely. If results show that requirements are not fully met, we can analyse the data with you, identify critical factors and suggest modifications to formulation, thickness or structure to improve performance.