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.
Q: Will my product be classified as compostable?
It depends - The definition for compostability works on a very short time frame (under 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 a coex film with a high barrier centre 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 with an additive. One of Europe's leading experts in this field has endorsed this technology as the only viable option for environmentally safe packaging. Dr. Paolo Broglio, Phd. of Environmental Biology, University of Milan. It is economical, easy to use on existing processes and the least harmful of all options.
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. We need to 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: Are inks and adhesives also Biodegradable?
Inks are generally vegetable based or water based. We use different converting processes depending on your needs. Adhesives are sometimes solvent less or water based, but usually solvent based for better bonds. We can now offer Photopolymer Plates that are washed out with water instead of high VOC's for some processes.
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 version in the works. Tin ties made with plastic can be biodegradable or 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 need to work on.
Q: Are they meeting ASTM standards for Biodegradable?
We are on the ASTM committee for biodegradable and compostable standards. Currently this is under review. We have successfully blocked attempts by the B.P.I., founded by Cargill and Innovia, to make all packaging subject to their review before being allowed to make any claims. They only consider their products, PLA and Cello to be of any use. ( Not unbiased at all.) However, PLA can only be composted in a commercial composter and the composters want material to compost in 3 weeks. PLA takes 14 weeks at 0.8 mil. the SunChip bags are 2.0 mil and take 30 weeks. These composters put ads in newspapers telling people to stop putting the bags in the Green Bins. They have to screen them out and take them to the landfill. There are 144 composters in the US for 30,000 communities. That is 0.47% coverage in the USA. The FTC states your claims must be available to 60% of the communities to avoid being a green-washer. Our Green disposal options are available to 100% of communities. 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.
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 CO2, water 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 "clean" and safe for the environment?
Our products meet FDA and SCF standards AND ARE ACTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO PLANT GROWTH and ORGANIC. University studies over 6 years have shown there are no harmful effects on other crops or insects and no heavy metals.