{"id":115032,"date":"2026-04-21T16:03:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=115032"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:15:11","slug":"research-project-on-compostable-plastics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/forschungsprojekt-kompostierbare-kunststoffe\/","title":{"rendered":"How well do compostable films really break down in soil?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The question of how compostable plastics behave in the environment is gaining increasing importance. A new German-Austrian research project is dedicated to investigating the biodegradability of particles from compostable plastic films under realistic soil conditions. The aim is to gain scientifically sound insights into how quickly these fragments, which could enter the soil via compost, biodegrade.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Certified compostable organic waste collection bags are already in use in many households. They facilitate the hygienic collection of kitchen waste and its transport to the organic waste bin. In Austria, very lightweight plastic carrier bags have been required to be compostable since 2020. These bags can first be used as shopping bags for loose fruit and vegetables, then used to keep food fresh, and finally used for the collection and disposal of organic waste. In Germany, compostable organic waste bags for the collection and disposal of organic matter are generally permitted, provided they meet the requirements of the Bioabfallverordnung (Organic Waste Ordinance). This includes that the bags must break down within six weeks in composting plants and disintegrate into fragments smaller than two millimetres.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Project Objective<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The research project, coordinated by the Austrian Alliance for Microplastic-Free and the German Initiative for Natural Circular Economy (INAK), investigates the extent to which film fragments remaining in compost are further biodegraded under real soil conditions. The metabolism by soil microorganisms is quantified. Two biowaste treatment plants, a composting facility in Austria and a fermentation plant with downstream composting in Germany, process certified industrially compostable films as part of their routine operations. The resulting composts, containing the respective fragments, are applied to soils. Over a period of 24 months, samples will be regularly taken to monitor the degradation of the remaining particles.<\/p>

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Reducing microplastics in soils<\/h2>\r\n

The project brings together partners from science, material manufacturing, and biowaste treatment. Renowned research institutions such as the University of Vienna, the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), and ETH Zurich are involved. An interdisciplinary advisory board of experts from waste management, compost and soil management, as well as science and politics will closely support the project to incorporate the experiences of all relevant German and Austrian bodies. \u201eCertified compostable plastics can be an alternative to conventional plastics in certain applications to reduce the input of persistent microplastics into compost and soils,\u201c explains Katrin Schwede from INAK.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Meaning for the future<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The project's results should help to raise awareness of the possibilities and limitations of compostable plastics. They should demonstrate to compost users the effects in the soil and create a sound basis for future regulatory decisions. By using state-of-the-art analytical methods and realistic conditions, the aim is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of biodegradation processes. The project is an important step towards better understanding the environmental compatibility of compostable plastics and optimising their practical use.<\/p>