TotalEnergies Corbion takes the challenge of plastic pollution—on land and in waterways—extremely seriously. While the most effective long‑term solutions depend on smarter product design, better consumer education, and well‑functioning waste‑management systems, the compostability and biodegradability of Luminy® PLA can provide meaningful support.
A recent meta‑study by HYDRA Marine Sciences shows that, due to its inherent material characteristics—specifically its hydrolysis‑driven degradation process—PLA does not form persistent microplastics when it ends up in the environment. Unlike conventional, non‑biodegradable plastics that accumulate indefinitely as micro‑ and nanoplastics, PLA breaks down when exposed to moisture and water, preventing long‑lasting pollution.
No material should ever be released into the environment, and no certification should be seen as a license to litter. However, the same properties that make PLA compostable also ensure that, if it does escape waste‑management systems, its long‑term environmental impact is significantly lower than that of traditional plastics.
Read the Meta-Study on the environmental fate of PLA: https://www.hydramarinesciences.com/news-harris/meta-study-on-environmental-fate-of-pla
Throughout our communications, unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘biobased’ and ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’ refer to EN16785-1 and EN13432 standards respectively.