In response to a study claiming reduced functionality of PET recyclates contaminated with biodegradable plastics, the oxo-biodegradable plastic additive supplier Environmental Products Inc. (EPI) published a press release rejecting the study. The study commissioned by the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) reported that already a 2% weight/weight contamination of plastics recycling streams with degradable plastics resulted in reduced mechanical properties of the resulting plastic products (previously reported on by the FPF). In its November 25, 2013 press release, EPI criticized that the study only evaluated a limited number of non-biobased degradable plastic samples and that visual inspection was a key component of the evaluation. Finally, EPI contends that no statistical analysis was employed to confirm significance of changes in material function.  Subsequently, EPI considers the study to present insufficient empirical proof and demands it to be dismissed entirely.  

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Environmental Products Inc. (December 2, 2013). “EPI Rejects Scientifically-Unfounded EuPC Report.

EuPC (November 18, 2013). “FINAL Impact of degradable plastic carrier bags on mechanical recycling.” (pdf)

FPF article “Degradable plastics reduce recyclate quality

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