What is oxo biodegradation? The term ‘oxo-biodegradation’ is a hybridization of two words, oxidation and biodegradation. It defines clearly a two-step process initiated in by the additive to degrade the polymer chain (break up) and make it available for biodegradation within the environment when a treated item has finished its useful life. The phase of oxidation reduces the molecular weight and introduces oxygen into the structure. This process transforms the polymer from long strands to much smaller lengths. By reducing the chain length of the polymer the material loses its physical strength and elongation properties making it brittle and none ‘plastic’. The biodegradation aspect refers to the conversion of these lower molecular weight species by bacteria into biomass, CO2 and H2O in an aerobic environment, or in the case of an anaerobic environment, CH4. Biodegradation can only occur in environments that have warmth, bacterial activity and moisture. This fact is often overlooked when marketing oxo-biodegradable materials. Oxo biodegradation technology: A very small amount of oxo biodegradable additive is put into the manufacturing process. This breaks the molecular chains in the polymer, and at the end of its useful life the product falls apart. The plastic does not just fragment, but will be consumed by bacteria and fungi after the additive has reduced the molecular weight to a level (below 5000) which permits micro-organisms access to the carbon and hydrogen. Oxo-biodegradable products do not degrade immediately in an open environment because they are stabilized to give the product a useful service-life.

- Carrier bags or "shopper-bags" which consumers use to take away their purchases from the shop
- Aprons, for the protection of garments, in the home, hospitals, restaurants, workshops etc.
- Bags to contain dog feces collected in parks, gardens, etc.
- Rigid products such as bottles and cups
- Mulch films
- Aprons, for the protection of garments, in the home, hospitals, restaurants, workshops
- Gloves
- Bin liners
- Plastic sheeting for a variety of applications in agriculture and horticulture
- Plastic film for wrapping newspapers and magazines
- Bread bags
- Frozen food bags
- Wrappers for cigarette packets
- Shrink-wrap and pallet-wrap
- Bubble-wrap






Author Mercy P. Bulsari Polymer Technologist Member- International Committee, Plast India Foundation Member – Indian Plastics Institute (IPI) Email: mbulsari5@gmail.com