ASTM International’s Plastics Committee has developed a brand-new standard to measure the complete biodegradation timeline of non-floating plastics in aquatic environments.
Designated Standard D8646, this specification unifies test methods for evaluating plastic degradation performance in low-temperature aquatic environments, ensuring greater consistency of test results.
Headquartered in the United States, ASTM International is a global standards organization that develops voluntary technical specifications for a wide range of industries.
Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University, stated: “Industry, academia, governments and regulatory bodies all require a scientifically sound, reliable standard to assess the full biodegradation timeframe of plastic products used in water-related applications.”
“However, conducting biodegradation tests under low-temperature conditions is often impractical. The extremely slow degradation reaction rates drastically extend test cycles and drive up testing costs,” Professor Narayan added.
He explained that drawing on reaction kinetics principles and experimental data from existing aerobic biodegradation test protocols established by ASTM International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the new standard calculates the time required for plastic polymers to be fully broken down by microbial metabolism and complete carbon mineralization in natural low-temperature aquatic environments.
ASTM International noted that the new standard aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 14 (Life Below Water).
Professor Narayan elaborated: “This new standard delivers a verifiable testing and reporting framework specifically addressing the environmental challenge posed by plastics persisting and accumulating over long periods in marine ecosystems.”
ASTM International is also calling on all laboratories and researchers conducting biodegradation performance testing under its standards to take part in an interlaboratory round-robin test program for Standard D8646.
