PolyBioAid by IRMA
Microplastics, fragments of polymers less than 5 mm in size, are now ubiquitous in our environment. They come from the degradation of conventional plastics, industrial processes and certain manufactured products (cosmetics, textiles, packaging). They are found in the air, water, soil and even in the food chain. Their accumulation in ecosystems and their effects on wildlife and human health are being increasingly studied, revealing potentially worrying impacts.
Most of these microplastics come from non-biodegradable plastic materials, whose persistence in the environment leads to long-term pollution. Faced with this problem, the development of biodegradable polymers is one of the promising alternatives. These materials, designed to degrade under the action of micro-organisms in specific conditions (composting, marine environment, soil), make it possible to reduce the plastic footprint and limit the formation of persistent microplastics.
However, the introduction of these new materials requires rigorous assessment to ensure that they are truly biodegradable and environmentally harmless. In accordance with European regulations, particularly in the packaging, paper, agriculture, textile and cosmetics sectors.
PolyBioAid by IRMA combines expertise in the analysis of microplastics and the assessment of biodegradable materials, drawing on skills recently reinforced by the laboratories of the University of Southern Brittany (IRDL). This approach enables us to support manufacturers and researchers in the development of more sustainable solutions that meet today’s environmental requirements.
Research, Analysis and Characterisation of Microplastics
Microplastics are plastic particles between 5 mm and 1 µm in size (ISO 24187: 2023). They can be directly formulated in the form of micrometric particles (primary microplastics) or derived from the degradation of larger plastic objects (secondary microplastics). Found in all types of environment and in living organisms, microplastics are now considered to be persistent pollutants that are of interest to everyone.
IRMA, in conjunction with the research carried out at the University of Southern Brittany, has developed a microplastic analysis and characterisation service.
Our laboratory deals with all types of matrices (water, soil, sediment, organic amendments, etc.). Depending on the size of the particles and the purpose of the study, microplastics can be identified by infrared spectroscopy and/or GC-MS pyrolysis.
Our services
Rapid analysis
- Infrared extraction and chemical identification of plastic particles larger than 710 µm.
- Quantification (number and mass) of the polymers identified.
- Why ? To get a quick overview of the contamination on a site without the need for exhaustiveness.
Exhaustive analysis
- Extraction and chemical identification of plastic particles larger than 10 µm
- Quantification (number and/or mass depending on the analytical technique) of the polymers identified
- Why ? To study the degradation of a polymer, to give an exhaustive description of the state of contamination at a site
Benefits :
- Continuous improvement of the database with spectra of environmental microplastics
- Protocols adapted to each type of matrix
- Handling of environmental samples containing asbestos residues
Regulations
A number of research studies have highlighted the harmful effects of the presence of large numbers of microplastics on human health and the environment. This is why regulatory constraints have been put in place in recent years in France and at European level, notably with progressive restrictions on the intentional addition of microplastics to manufactured products such as cosmetics( REACH/ECHA regulations and et AGEC law).
Several standards concerning analytical methods have also been developed:
ISO 24187 (09/2023) Principles for the analysis of microplastics in the environment
XP T90-968-1 (12/2023) Water quality – Analysis of microplastics in human drinking water and groundwater – Part 1: methods using vibrational spectroscopy
What is biodegradation ?
The biodegradation of a substance or material is its ability to be broken down by organisms and micro-organisms without having a negative impact on them.
And plastic materials ?
The term ‘bioplastic’ is often used to designate a biodegradable plastic material, but in reality there are two key concepts behind it: the origin of the raw material and the end-of-life of the product. A plastic material can be derived from fossil resources and still be biodegradable, just as a biobased plastic material may not be suitable for biodegradation. It is therefore preferable to use the term ‘biobased and/or biodegradable plastic’.
Compostable versus Biodegradable ?
Compostability refers to a standard that establishes a certain number of criteria to be met by the material/substance, of which biodegradability is one, in order to be qualified as suitable for composting (industrial or domestic).
How is it assessed?
The biodegradability of a substance can be assessed on the basis of the standards set out in the table below. A distinction is made between biodegradability/compostability and easy biodegradability.
- Compostability/Biodegradability ?
This is based on a comprehensive test programme that evaluates several criteria:
- Easy biodegradability
This only assesses the substance’s ability to biodegrade over a period of 28 days. Specific tests depending on the type of substance (volatility, solubility, adsorption) are standardised and based on the measurement of oxygen consumed or carbon dioxide produced during the biodegradation process.
You have some questions about your products ?
The PolyBioAid by IRMA service meets all your analytical requirements in the field of biodegradable materials. It offers support to SMIs and SMEs in easily obtaining compostable and biodegradable certification based on the specification standards in force: NF EN 13432, EN 14995, NF U 52001, ISO 17033 and NF T 51-800.
Research into compliance with compostability standards includes an ecotoxicological component aimed at demonstrating the chemical and biological quality of an environment after exposure to the tested material. PolyBioAid by IRMA thus offers toxicological evaluation associated with the biodegradability theme, but also as part of various studies (biocidal coatings and fouling release, soluble molecules, leachates, etc.).
Toxicological studies can be of a chronic nature, enabling effects to be observed over a longer period (weeks to months), or of an acute nature, limited to observations of the response of organisms over a few days. Tests are carried out on different trophic levels (bacteria, microalgae, crustaceans, bivalves, fish, etc.) to provide an overview of the impacts depending on the compartments targeted (water column, sediments, etc.).
Your contact person
And to strengthen our expertise…
Scientific council
Trained engineer, Mr Guy César worked in agronomy research, first in Switzerland and then in Brittany. Since 1998, he has been one of the pioneers in biodegradable plastics for agriculture and packaging, setting up a laboratory to study the biodegradability of polymers and developing inexpensive methods for analysing biodegradability in soil, compost, fresh water and seawater.
Mr César has worked hard to help SMIs and SMEs obtain ‘compostable’ certification for the materials they put on the market, and also to develop knowledge about these materials by funding research projects and theses.
In 2022, a transition will be made from a research and consultancy activity to a more comprehensive range of services. The PolyBioAid activity was transferred to IRMA and a dedicated team now has modern biodegradability analysis equipment at its disposal. It is continuing to develop and will soon be certified to NF EN ISO 17025. Mr César is now IRMA’s scientific advisor on biodegradability issues.
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