Material Biodegradation Testing

Biodegradation generally refers to the decomposition of microorganisms. Microbial decomposition substances present in nature will not have a negative impact on the environment. Biodegradable materials can be completely decomposed into low-molecular compounds by microorganisms (such as bacteria, fungi and algae) under appropriate and demonstrable natural environmental conditions. The biodegradability test is used to determine the degradability of biodegradable plastics. Matexcel can provide you with comprehensive and high-quality biodegradation tests.

What we do?

“Your single-source partner for biodegradability verification and green-compliance.”

We help resin producers, brand-owners, R&D labs and regulators generate defensible data on how a product behaves in real soil, water, landfill, marine, human-body or wastewater environments—meeting global standards and marketing claims in one project.

What we offer?

The test items we provide are as follows:

• Packaging products, plastic products
• PDisposable tableware
• PFilm and sheet

The testing content we provide mainly includes:

• Evaluation of biodegradability, biodegradation rate, biodegradation and disintegration ability.
• Biological decomposition rate of aerobic composting test
• Biodegradation and disintegration

At present, the main method for evaluating the biodegradability of plastics in the world is the compost method. Compost contains abundant microbial sources, which can reflect the biodegradability of plastics in the natural environment to a certain extent. Matexcel can also conduct surfactant biodegradation tests on products: surfactants, detergents containing surfactants (dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, shampoo, facial cleanser, etc.). Various other materials (plant fiber products, plastics, paper products, etc.), the potential biodegradation test of materials under the action of specific microorganisms.

Module	Test Scenario	Key Index	Typical Standards*	Deliverables
Industrial composting	58 ± 2 °C, oxygen-rich compost	90 % relative biodegradation, ≤ 2 mm fragments, heavy metals ≤ 50 % limit	ISO 17088, ASTM D6400, EN 13432, GB/T 38082	90-day report + OK-Compost pre-audit certificate
Home composting	20-30 °C, low oxygen	90 % biodegradation, ecotoxicity (OECD 208)	NF T51-800, AS 5810	6-12 month report
Soil biodegradation	25 °C, natural microbes, dark or light	9 % biodegradation, morphology & Mw change	ISO 17556, ASTM D5988, GB/T 22047	6-24 month report
Fresh-water biodegradation	20 °C, river/lake/simulated solution	60% biodegradation, DOC	ISO 14851, ASTM D5271, OECD 301	56-84 day report
Marine biodegradation	30 °C, artificial seawater, flow or static	30% biodegradation (90 d), micro-plastic tracking	ASTM D6691, ISO 16221, UNI 11447	6-12 month report + micro-plastic mapping
Anaerobic digestion (AD)	37-55 °C, meso/thermophilic	BMP, mass loss	ISO 15985, ASTM D5511, GB/T 38737	30-60 day report
Biomedical implants	37 °C, PBS/SBF/cell culture	mass loss, pH, mechanical retention, cytotoxicity	ISO 10993-9, ASTM F1635, USP <87>	1-36 month report + biocompatibility statement
Cosmetic rinse-off	25 °C, municipal sewage & seawater	primary biodegradation (OECD 301D), ecotoxicity (OECD 201/202)	OECD 301 series, ISO 16145	28-day report + micro-plastic-free certificate
Surfactants & detergents	activated-sludge, continuous flow	≥ 80 % primary biodegradation, ultimate biodegradation	OECD 303A, ISO 10707, EC 648/2004	28-60 day report
Accelerated biodegradation	high T/humidity/UV/enzyme	predict 1-5 yr natural ageing, Arrhenius extrapolation	in-house SOP + ASTM D5526 mod.	30-90 day report + lifetime model

Technology Platforms & Differentiation

• 30-reactor SUS316 multi-environment gallery – independent control of temperature, humidity, aeration, agitation; 8 scenarios in parallel.
• Micro-plastic tracking – FT-IR imaging + Py-GCMS, quantification down to 1 µm, ready for EU micro-plastic restriction dossiers.
• 13C/14C labelling – discriminates polymer carbon from background, 1 % absolute biodegradation accuracy.
• Digital-twin prediction – 10-year degradation database; enter formulation, thickness, additive package and receive a degradation curve without bench work, cutting 30-50 % of test time.
• Dual quality system – GLP & ISO 17025

Service Highlights

Comprehensive Material Assessment: Utilize our platform to assess the biodegradation potential of different materials. We offer a thorough analysis to understand how materials break down in various environments, helping you make informed decisions about their sustainability.

Customized Testing Protocols: Tailor the testing protocols based on your specific needs and the intended application of the materials. Whether you are assessing packaging materials, textiles, or other products, our service provides flexibility to meet diverse industry requirements.

Environmental Degradation: Gain insights into the environmental impact of materials by understanding their biodegradation behavior. Our service aids in evaluating the ecological footprint of materials, promoting sustainable choices for a greener future. Soil biodegradation testing evaluates how materials biodegrade in soil environments, simulating real-world conditions to assess their eco-friendliness. Water or other chemical solution biodegradation testing analyzes material breakdown in these aquatic environments, ensuring compatibility with water ecosystems and addressing water pollution concerns.

Biomedical Implant Biodegradation: Specifically tailored for biomedical applications, assess how materials biodegrade in contact with the human body, ensuring safety and compatibility with medical devices.

Cosmetic Product Biodegradation: Evaluate the breakdown of materials used in cosmetic products, considering the impact on skin and environmental factors.

Accelerated Biodegradation Studies: Opt for accelerated biodegradation studies to simulate and predict the environmental fate of materials over an expedited timeframe. Our service employs advanced methodologies to provide timely results without compromising accuracy.

Add-on Value

A. Formulation screening – 96-well micro-plate high-throughput ranking of pro-degradant additives or enzymes, results in 7 days.

B. Ecotoxicity bundle – plant germination, earthworm acute, zebrafish embryo, micro-algae growth; one quotation, one report.

C. Failure diagnosis – SEM-EDS, GPC, DSC, OIT analysis to identify “anti-degradation” causes and recommend formulation tweaks.

How to Submit Sample

Sample form	film, pellet, injection plaque, fibre, finished article (cup, bottle, bag, implant, etc.)
Recommended mass	compost/soil/fresh water ≥ 30 g; marine ≥ 50 g; AD ≥ 20 g; biomedical ≥ 5 g
Thickness	10 µm – 3 mm (>3 mm must be ground to ≤ 2 mm)
Info sheet	formulation, additive %, intended use, target standard, certification deadline
Lead time	standard 28 days – 36 months; accelerated 30 days – 90 days

Choose our Material Biodegradation Service to embark on a journey towards sustainable and environmentally responsible material choices. Join us in making a positive impact on the planet. Contact us today to get started.

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