FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is EcoPure®? EcoPure® is a proprietary, patented co-polymer proven to enhance the biodegradability of plastic in naturally microbe-rich environments. It contains organic compounds that are compatible with a wide range of plastic resins and are safe for both food contact and human contact.
How does EcoPure® work? EcoPure® is added to plastic articles at a concentration of 0.5% to 1% during manufacturing. Once infused with EcoPure®, the product's physical characteristics and shelf life remain unchanged, and it remains recyclable. EcoPure® becomes active only when the plastic ends up in a landfill or is lost in the environment. It initiates a microbiological process called quorum sensing, which enables microbes in these environments to colonize the surface of the plastic and enzymatically break down the polymer molecules.
Will it affect the shelf-life or durability of my product? No, EcoPure® does not affect the shelf life or durability of finished products. Because it is used in very small amounts (0.5% to 1%), it does not alter the overall properties of the product’s primary resin. Each EcoPure® formulation is specifically designed to be compatible with particular resin types. For example, the PET formulation includes tailored carrier materials to ensure it does not impact the appearance or characteristics of PET. EcoPure® is used in durable goods such as running shoes, clothing, medical devices, and baby bottles—products that are designed for long service lives.
Will EcoPure® cause bacteria to consume my product when it is in use or in a warehouse? No, EcoPure® will not cause plastic to biodegrade during use or when stored under normal conditions. For EcoPure® to activate, the plastic must be exposed to moisture and biologically active environments, such as soil, landfills, or marine settings. These environments contain a diverse range of microbes, including those that thrive in the absence of oxygen. In contrast, factories, warehouses, retail stores, and consumers’ homes are not biologically active environments. They lack the microbial diversity and conditions required to trigger the quorum sensing process. EcoPure® is even used in sterile medical devices, such as catheters and prefilled syringes, which have a shelf life of three years.
How long does it take for plastic to biodegrade? Under ASTM D5511 test conditions, plastic infused with EcoPure® has been observed to biodegrade within one to five years. However, the rate of biodegradation depends on several factors, including: - The shape and exposed surface area of the finished plastic product. Thin plastic films tend to biodegrade more quickly than rigid or thicker plastic items. - The specific environmental conditions to which the plastic is exposed. Warmer temperatures generally accelerate the rate of biodegradation. - The polymer types used. Linear, saturated polymers such as polyethylene tend to biodegrade more slowly than unsaturated polymers like PET.
Are products with EcoPure® recyclable? Yes, products containing EcoPure® are recyclable. PET water bottles infused with EcoPure® have been successfully tested for recyclability in accordance with RecyClass protocols. Many of our clients also recycle their post-industrial PET, PP, HDPE, and LDPE waste. EcoPure® is compatible with both post-consumer recycled materials and virgin resins.
Is EcoPure® an oxo-degradation additive? No, EcoPure® is not an oxo-degradation additive. Oxo additives use metal salts—such as iron, nickel, cobalt, or manganese—that react with oxygen and UV light to break plastic down into microplastics. These microplastics persist in the environment as pollution and do not biodegrade. Additionally, because oxo additives initiate degradation upon exposure to oxygen and UV light, they reduce the shelf-life of plastic products and can contaminate recycling streams. EcoPure® is based on a different technology. It contains no metal salts and does not rely on oxygen or UV light to activate. Unlike oxo additives, EcoPure® does not cause plastic to fragment into microplastics. Instead, it promotes microbial colonization on the plastic’s surface, enabling the microbes’ natural metabolic enzymes to break down the polymer’s carbon backbone. The use of oxo additives has been banned in Europe, Colombia, India, and in parts of the USA and Canada. In contrast, EcoPure® is approved for use in these same regions and is manufactured in Europe.
Does the addition of EcoPure® to plastic result in the formation of microplastics? No, EcoPure® does not cause plastic to fragment into microplastics. There are two main sources of microplastics: Primary microplastics – These are intentionally manufactured. Examples include plastic beads used in cosmetics or industrial abrasion processes, as well as fragments caused by oxo-additives. Secondary microplastics – These are generated from the breakdown of larger plastic items due to friction or abrasion. Common sources include fibers shed from synthetic fabrics during washing and the wear of tire and shoe treads. EcoPure® does not produce primary microplastics. While it cannot prevent friction or abrasion from creating secondary microplastics, it enables these microplastics to biodegrade, reducing their persistence as environmental pollution.
Is EcoPure® safe for food and human contact? Yes, EcoPure® is safe for use in food contact and human contact applications.
What is left behind after plastic biodegrades? When plastic treated with EcoPure® biodegrades, the resulting by-products are the same natural metabolic by-products produced during the decomposition of organic waste, such as food scraps or garden material. These include: cellular biomass, water, biogas, mineral salts, and nutrient-rich organic matter.
How is the biodegradation of EcoPure® tested? The biodegradability of plastics made with EcoPure® is tested using internationally recognized standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), including: 1. ISO 15985 / ASTM D5511 – Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions. 2. ISO 17556 / ASTM D5988 – Standard test method for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in soil. 3. ASTM D5526 – Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under accelerated landfill conditions. 4. ISO 14855 / ASTM D5338 – Standard test method for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions, incorporating thermophilic temperatures. 5. ASTM D6691 – Standard test method for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastics in seawater. Our partners test their finished products to standards relevant to their industries, including: 1. U.S. FDA – Compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for food contact applications. 2. European Union – Compliance with regulations No. 10/2011 and No. 2020/1245 on plastic materials intended to come into contact with food. 3. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 – Certification for products tested for harmful substances. 4. American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) – Compliance with the Restricted Substances List (RSL). 5. Apparel & Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM) – Compliance with the AFIRM Restricted Substances List. 6. Global Toy Safety – Testing to international toy safety specifications and standards. 7. Safety assessments for children’s drinking equipment – Certification for compliance with safety regulations. 8. Hong Kong Certification Centre – Certification for biodegradability. 9. RecyClass – Evaluation for recyclability in accordance with RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol V1.0.
How is EcoPure® added to the manufacturing process? EcoPure® is a simple, drop-in masterbatch additive that can be incorporated using a standard commercial dry feeder (gravimetric feeder), much like a colorant. It is typically added at a loading rate of 0.5% to 1% by weight, with little to no adjustment needed to existing processing parameters. EcoPure® is compatible with a wide range of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, and foam molding.
What types of plastic can EcoPure® be used in? EcoPure® is compatible with virtually all polymer types and production methods. It is commonly used with a wide range of resins, including PET, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PVC, polypropylene, polystyrene, EVA, nylon, PMMA, and polycarbonate. EcoPure® is also fully compatible with recycled plastics and is used in bio-based resins such as PLA, green EVA, and bio-based polyurethane.