Compostable bioplastics like Luminy® PLA offer sustainable alternatives to regular plastics. Unlike conventional plastics, which resist biological degradation, biodegradable bioplastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) polymers can break down naturally in composting environments. These bioplastics combine strength and resilience, allowing them to effectively replace conventional plastics in many applications.
The composting process of Luminy® PLA occurs in two stages. First, heat, humidity, and fungi cause the material to disintegrate and fragment. Then, bacteria and fungi consume these fragments as a source of energy, fully biodegrading them into CO₂, water, and biomass. This natural process supports a circular economy, turning waste into valuable resources while reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Throughout our communications, unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘biobased’ and ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’ refer to EN16785-1 and EN13432 standards respectively. It is the responsibility of the article producer to ensure that claims on final products are substantiated by testing against the relevant standards. Check your locally available end-of-life infrastructure to ensure that legitimate end-of-life claims are made on the final product.
Understanding the circular economy potential of biobased, compostable Luminy® PLA is crucial for making sustainable choices and enhancing environmental protection.
As climate change and environmental concerns take center stage globally, the plastic industry faces mounting pressure to improve material recycling and boost plastic circularity. Luminy® PLA offers a circular end-of-life solution through industrial composting, setting it apart from traditional plastics.
While compostable bioplastics offer substantial benefits, the potential of biowaste collection and recycling remains largely untapped. In the EU27+, only 16% of the theoretical potential for food waste capture is met, despite food waste being a valuable resource for compostable PLA production. Without proper treatment, this waste often ends up in landfills or incineration, releasing harmful methane—a potent greenhouse gas.
Unlike fossil-based plastics, which are costly and difficult to recycle when contaminated, compostable PLA can be organically recycled alongside food waste. This significantly reduces methane emissions and prevents plastic contamination in the food waste stream. In products like tea bags, coffee capsules, and food packaging, compostable PLA plastics create a synergy—transforming organic waste into valuable compost and keeping traditional plastics out of our soils.
Our scientists and experts are always on call. We work alongside your team to help build new applications and ensure a smooth transition to sustainable solutions.
We are driven by our vision of a better world for generations to come.
To meet climate neutrality targets, we need both innovative materials and improved waste management practices. Luminy® PLA, a biobased material, is a key solution—functional, easy to implement in existing production lines, and industrially compostable.
Composting plays a vital role in building a greener future. By returning carbon captured during plant growth to the soil, composting enriches it naturally without the need for chemical fertilizers. This process also reduces carbon emissions, as biowaste composting produces far fewer greenhouse gases (like CO₂ and CH₄) compared to landfilling.
Industrially compostable bioplastics provide a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, especially in applications where contamination with organic waste makes recycling difficult. Products like tea bags, coffee capsules, and biowaste collection bags are perfect examples of where compostable PLA solutions excel.
By choosing certified compostable bioplastic packaging, consumers can dispose of packaging along with organic waste in the biowaste bin. This reduces landfilling, avoids incineration, and prevents contamination of the biowaste stream with non-compostable plastics, driving a circular economy and supporting waste reduction efforts.
