• Products
• Distributors
• Technology
• Credentials
• Contact

Technology

The d2w® Additive

d2w® technology is based on the use of an additive which is combined with any blend of polyethylene or polypropylene resins during the standard production process usually at a level of 1%. At such low levels of inclusion, the impact of the additive is therefore negligible and the finished product retains all the dynamic qualities of standard plastics including strength, clarity, sealability, permeability and print. There is also no change involved to the standard plastics manufacturing processes and no impact on line speeds either during manufacture or in use.

The degradation process commences with any combination of heat, light and stresses acting as catalysts and affecting the speed with which it progresses. Once the process is initiated it will continue even in a landfill, if the plastics are caught in the branches of a tree or in a fence, or if they are under water.

Totally degradable plastics will degrade harmlessly ultimately leaving only H2O, CO2 and biomass in negligible quantities. Tests have proven the materials to be safe for direct food contact and to have no harmful effect whatsoever when they ultimately degrade in or on the ground.

Recycling

Degradable plastics can be recycled and will not harm the post-consumer plastics waste stream. Conversely, d2w® additive can be added to recycled plastics and will cause them to become degradable!

We are very often asked to explain the effect of d2w® additives on the recycling process. Whilst the broad answer is a very positive one, there are many different and complex permutations of both input feedstock and output materials which need to be individually considered.

Before even thinking about these different situations, it is important always to verify if the material being reviewed will actually be recycled or if it is a material capable of being recycled. Even though there is considerable worldwide enthusiasm to recycle more, in many parts of the world only a small proportion of total waste plastics are recycled. In a similar vein, an even smaller proportion of post consumer waste is currently being recycled and therefore there are very many cases involving consumer products where recycling degradable materials may be of academic interest but has no practical significance.