BASF presents new compostable biopolymer

BASF announced the expansion of its portfolio of sustainable products with the launch of Ecovio T 2206, a certified and compostable biopolymer intended for the manufacture of black yarn for growing annual fruits and vegetables in commercial greenhouses. The product "promises to revolutionize agricultural waste management, contributing significantly to the circular economy."

Ecovio T 2206 is recognized for its industrial compostability according to the EN 13432 standard, which allows the cords used to be collected together with plant residues after harvest and sent to industrial composting facilities. This practice enables the complete biodegradation of the material, preventing the persistence of microplastics in the environment and transforming green waste into valuable compounds.

"With this new end-of-life option for cords, we can avoid persistent microplastics in organic waste and, at the same time, transform more green waste into valuable compost," the company explained in a statement. Furthermore, the Ecovio T 2206 technology allows it to be produced on standard polypropylene (PP) machinery used for cords, which facilitates its adoption by manufacturers.

Cords made from Ecovio T 2206 have proven effective in aiding the vertical growth of climbing plants, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, in greenhouse structures in a variety of climates, from Europe and South America to Asia and Canada. "The tests demonstrate the excellent performance of the cords until the end of the cultivation cycle, which is a great advantage for farmers", explained the company. After harvesting, farmers can easily collect the cords along with the plants for composting.

In addition to Ecovio T 2206, BASF also offers Ecovio M 2351, a soil-biodegradable biopolymer certified to EN 17033, specially developed for mulching films in agriculture and horticulture. These films help to increase productivity, speed up harvesting and save water and herbicides. After use, the films can simply be plowed back into the soil, where they biologically degrade, preventing the formation of persistent microplastics that would occur with the use of conventional polyethylene (PE) films.