The difference between biodegradable, compostable and bio-based

What does biodegradable mean?

A product is considered biodegradable if it can be decomposed into carbon dioxide, water and biomass through biological processes – for example through the activity of microorganisms or enzymes. The key factor is that the product is broken down into its basic molecules CO2 and H2O. If this is not the case, tiny particles may remain in the environment that can potentially cause significant damage.

It is important not to equate biodegradable with compostable. Every compostable product is biodegradable. But not every biodegradable product is compostable. The difference lies primarily in the time and conditions required for degradation. A product that, for example, takes 100 years to be completely broken down into its basic molecules would be biodegradable, but not compostable. In contrast, the EN 13432 standard defines clear conditions for compostability.

Compostable products must disintegrate into at least 90% small fragments within 12 weeks and biodegrade by at least 90% within 6 months. Products made from biodegradable materials such as PLA (polylactide), which are produced from renewable raw materials like corn starch, are not processed in plastic recycling or organic waste bins in many regions and are often disposed of via residual waste.

As a general rule: Local waste disposal regulations of the respective municipality are always decisive. You can find more information in our article on recycling biodegradable materials.

What does biobased mean?

Biobased materials are made from biomass, such as sugarcane or corn starch. A material is considered biobased if it is made wholly or partly from renewable raw materials; a 100% biomass content is not required. In practice, composite materials are often used to combine different components. For some of our reusable packaging solutions, we also use a biobased composite material made from wood fibers and bioplastic.

This “bio-compound” is predominantly based on renewable raw materials and is free from BPA and melamine. The material is temperature resistant up to 70 °C and dishwasher safe. Due to the bioplastic content, many biobased composites are neither biodegradable nor compostable. Nevertheless, they contribute to the reduction of fossil resources and, thanks to their durability, offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional single-use products.