Laboratory Evaluation
Standardised industrial test methods measure the physical breakdown of packaging materials under controlled municipal composting conditions over a twelve-week period. EN 13432 disintegration requires that at least ninety percent of the test material must pass through a two-millimeter sieve at the end of the test. This measurement governs the compostability claims of paperboard packaging and barrier coatings, defining whether a product can be processed in industrial organic recovery systems.
It does not measure chemical biodegradation, which is assessed separately under different protocol steps.
Material Performance
Coated board grades often face challenges during this evaluation due to plastic liners or thick polymer barriers. Synthetic barrier coatings can prevent the paper fibers from breaking down, causing the sample to fail the sieve test. Manufacturers must formulate water-based dispersion coatings that weaken when exposed to moisture and heat, allowing the underlying board to fragment naturally.
If a packaging material fails this test, it cannot carry the certified compostable logo, limiting its use in organic waste collection schemes. The test also helps converters design folding cartons that dissolve efficiently during the composting process, ensuring that the final compost remains free from synthetic residues, while protecting soil health and agricultural systems from contamination.
Certification Protocol
Accredited laboratories run these tests using specialized reactors filled with synthetic organic waste. The temperature and moisture levels are kept high to simulate an industrial composting facility. This testing ensures that compostable claims are backed by scientific data.
Consequently, packaging buyers can specify certified paperboard for their eco-sensitive products with confidence.
