Process of P-Life Oxo-Biodegrading

1. Product Technical Functions

This oxidative biodegradable agent is specifically designed with catalysts and accelerators to degrade polyolefin materials (e.g., PP, PE). Through the induced action of aliphatic compounds and special catalysts, the final degradation results in carbon dioxide(CO2), water, and inorganic residues (with the main components of the catalyst formula derived from plant-based materials). In response to the pressing environmental demands of combating global warming, and in line with the global circular economy's low-carbon and zero-waste initiatives, this product also highlights its compatibility with recycling systems. Therefore, it is Recyclable.

2. P-Life Oxidative Biodegradable Plastic Degradation Steps: A+B Degradable

Degradation Step A:
The catalyst is first blended with the product, and the application undergoes natural environmental oxidation, heat, and humidity aging. This process reduces the molecular weight of the primary plastic polymer lower than 5,000. It is resulting a high-efficiency chain-breaking reaction. The material status from the first process is often mistakenly identified as micro plastics. However, such a saying is scientifically incorrect. The polyolefin materials PE and PP, are originally highly hydrophobic, but now transformed into hydrophilic. It is of no more plastic status. The reduction in molecular weight allows oxygen to penetrate these substances, converting them into low-molecular-weight compounds such as carbonyls, waxes, carboxylic acids, alcohols and ketones . The petrochemical carbon in the polymer is now prepared for microorganism in the environment. Soon they are converted into Bio-carbon, making the material environmentally friendly and safe, free from harmful substances, until it is rapidly biodegraded under appropriate oxygen, heat, and humidity conditions.

Degradation Step B:
Once the molecular chains are degraded to a sufficiently low molecular weight, they enter the microbial degradation cycle. The resulting low-molecular-weight, acidified hydrophilic intermediates can then be digested and transformed by microorganisms in the natural environment or composting landfill. The biocarbon is stored within microbial cells and eventually converted into carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic residues, also known as mineralization.

Comparison between P-Life & Plant-Based Biodegradable Plastics

3. Comparison And Specific Advantages of P-Life oxo-biodegradable plastics Vs. Plant-based biodegradable plastics

Material base:
▲ P-Life: Petroleum-based, Oxo-Biodegradable Master batch
▼ LA, PHA, PBAT & PBS...etc.: Plant-based, (Compostable) Biodegradable Plastics

Marketing:
▲ P-Life: Designed for polyolefin materials such as PP, PE, which make up 60-70% of global plastic usage.
▼ Other plant-based plastic: Derived from plant-extracted polymers, fully biodegradable, but with a very low global usage.

Practicality:
▲ P-Life: Complete degradation to carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic residues is fully controllable by adjusting the additive concentration ratio and long shelf.
▼ Other plant-based plastic: Degradation time cannot be controlled, and shelf life is short.


Pricing:
▲ P-Life: Cost increases by approximately 10~40 %.
▼ Other plant-based plastic: The price is 2~3 times higher than regular plastic.

Operating environment:
▲ P-Life: Degradation occurs under 23°C, by oxidation, heat, and humidity in the natural environments, eventually forming as low molecular fatty acid powder; thereafter leading to 100% biodegradation.
▼ The plant-based plastics: They require the specific collection for composting facilities at 58°C for complete degradation.

Mechanical properties:
▲ P-Life: Compatible with existing manufacturing systems without requiring changes in equipment or production processes. It is of no changing of material tensile strength and productivity. It is easy to be Recyclable.
▼ Other plant-based plastic: Requires a specific and separate recycling processes and cannot be mixing with other plastics, which complicates the process of reuse.

Accreditations by International Certificates:
▲ P-Life: Complies with FDA, EU ROHS, and is the only fully Oxo-biodegradable additive in the world certified by authoritative institutions - Technical Research Institute of Sweden (SP) - RISE Certificate. Under testing of SPCR141 appendix 4, which is in accordance with ASTM-D6954; SP A+B Degradable
▼ Other plant-based plastic: Certified by FDA, EU ROHS, EN-13432, ASTM-D6400, and ISO-14855.

Easy Measurement and Test of Biodegradation:
▲ P-Life: Can be tested by using oxidative biodegradation methods, P-Life oxo-biodegradable products undergo at first, the rapid pre-aging before composting testing.
▼ Other plant-based plastic: Plant-based products cannot be measured using oxidative biodegradation methods of above.

4. Application Examples

Here are success stories by using P-Life from countries around the world.

(1) Seedling bottles made from P-Life PP/PE fully biodegradable masterbatch.
(2) As the seedlings grow, the bottle degrades over its time.
(3) The degraded bottle can be planted in the soil and will fully biodegrade, eliminating the need for recovery and preventing environmental pollution.

(1) Ordinary plastic kitchen waste bags do not fully decompose.
(2) P-Life fully biodegradable bags can completely degrade into organic fertilizer.
(3) Continuous use of non-segregated landfills causes plastic to pollute the environment.

P-Life fully biodegradable mulch film degrading over time and being plowed into the soil, eliminating the need for recovery. It fully degrades into carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic residues.

(1) Disposable lunch box (before degradation)
(2) Disposable lunch box (during degradation)

5. Certifications from Multi Nations for P-Life Oxo-Biodegradable additive:

• RISE / Sweden Certification Mark SP A+B Degradable Mark (SPCR141, Appendix 4)
• Emirates Authority For Standardization & Metrology (UAE 5009-2009)
• SASO 2879 / Oxo-Biodegradable Mark (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Org.)
• ABNT / Associacao Brasileira De Normas Tecnicas (PE-308.01 “Rotulo Ecologico para Aditivos Plasticos com Funcao Oxibiodegradavel)
• HK Green Label Mark / Green Council Hong Kong, Product Environmental Criteria for Oxo-biodegradable Plastic Products – Food/Drink (GL-005-011)