Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my product be biodegradable?
Yes - TekPak's additive biodegrades plastic through bacterial/microbial action only. Unlike degrading agents, there is no requirement for other stimulants such as heat, light, or mechanical stress.
Q: Is it safe?
Yes - Plastics treated with our additive are suitable for food contact applications.
Q: Will my product's shelf life be affected?
No - Our additive has no effect on a polymer until it goes into a landfill or composting environment. Until then, all of your product's properties, including shelf life, will remain unaffected.
Q: Are TekPak's BioFilms Eco-friendly?
Yes - Aside from the benefits of reducing landfill and litter issues, without negatively affecting reuse or recycling, our additive is based on organic ingredients only, contains no phthalates, heavy metals, or genetically modified (GM) components. The remnants from our films are beneficial to plant growth.
Q: Will my product be classified as compostable?
It depends - The definition for compostability works on a very short time frame (less than 6 months). Because of this, many organic products such as banana skins or orange peels cannot be called compostable. Just like banana skins and orange peels, plastic containing our additive fully biodegrade in a home or commercial composter, but over a period of 1 to 2 years.
Q: Will you certify my products as being 100% biodegradable?
Yes - TekPak certifies biodegradability on the products that we sell.
Q: How do we provide the Barriers?
Barriers are provided by our Bio Foil Patented Film, which is inherently biodegradable. We can also use Metalizing which oxidizes when the Bio layers are degraded or composted. The exact blend is proprietary knowledge. This can be divulged with the signing of an NDA.
Q: Are the materials made from renewable or petroleum based products?
These are petroleum based products engineered with the use of a completely organic additive to biodegrade only when exposed to the microbes in landfill, soil or water. They offer superior performance to other biodegradable technologies, are easier to use, less expensive, and have the added benefit of being completely recyclable. The Biology department of One of Europe’s oldest Universities has studied all of the “Eco Packaging” available and determined that ours is “the only viable option available today”.
Q: What are the materials used?
Many materials are used for different types of packaging, rollstock for Form / Fill / Seal or bags or stand up pouches. This also depends on the machines at your facility. Some require different materials. Once we know more about your needs and machinery. Then we can select the best Bio-materials for your specific needs.
Q: What makes them Biodegradable?
The additive was discovered by accident as are many great ideas. Originally, the scientist involved was attempting to make a fishing lure that was more attractive to fish by blending organic compounds in various lures to see which worked best. They all failed. However, one seemed to be melting. Laboratory analysis showed that microbes in the water were eating the plastic on one lure alone. Further study proved that the particular blend of compounds, in the presence of microbes, created an enzyme that broke down the long-chain molecules of the plastic. This allowed the microbes to then consume the plastic . The first product made was garbage bags and we expanded it to many other forms of packaging for coffee, salads, snacks and almost anything.
Q: Is there a one-way degassing valve to use with this material? Is that valve Biodegradable? Can you extend that Biodegradable claim to the Tin Tie, Tape, Label etc.?
We can install one way valves but they are not yet biodegradable - we have a new BIO version in the works. The tin ties made with plastic can be biodegradable, and paper ones already are. The tin inside will rust away in time. Tapes and labels can be made BIO, but that is another project we are working on at the present time.
Q: Do TekPak BioFilms meet ASTM standards for Biodegradability?
Yes. We do meet many other ASTM standards: 5338/98, 5290/91, 5511, CEN 261085, ISO 14855 and we are FDA and SCF (E.U.) compliant. We are members of the ASTM Committees on Plastics and on Sustainability. Revisions are being made to bring these standards up-to-date.
Q: Are there successful products in the marketplace?
We can forward samples of many products being used in Walmart and other major chains. Photos are available on our website.
Q: What does this compost down to?
In a backyard compost it ends up as water, CO2, and a small amount of organic biomass. The same for an Aerobic Landfill or even a body of water. In an Anaerobic Landfill the CO2 is replaced with Methane which is being captured in many modern facilities.
Q: Is the process for making this material Omnidegradable, safe for the environment?
Our products meet FDA (U.S.) and SCF (E.U.) standards AND break down into organic residuals that ARE ACTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO PLANT GROWTH. University studies over 6 years have shown there are no harmful effects on other crops or insects and no heavy metals.