SAWeco

  • Territories : Canada, Turkey, South East Asia
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Our Technology

SAWeco partners with BioSphere to offer affordable solutions for eco-friendly plastic products

How Our Biodegradable Additives Works

Our additive aims to overcome the constraints associated with surface-level plastic degradation. This advancement empowers microbes to target and consume the C-C bonds within the plastic’s structure at a macromolecular level, resulting in an increased surface area for plastic products. As a consequence, plastophilic microbes readily attach to the newly formed cavities in the polymer, optimizing the degradation process.

Unlike conventional plastics that can persist in landfills for hundreds or even thousands of years, the biodegradable enhanced plastic takes a revolutionary approach. It becomes a magnet for over 600 diverse types of microbes, effectively inviting them to digest and consume the plastic. This breakthrough accelerates the biodegradation process, offering a sustainable alternative to the long-lasting environmental impact of traditional plastics.

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Biodegradability

With our additive technology, plastic polymer biodegradation is faster, economical, and aligned with a sustainable future.

Journey to Biodegradation

How does our biodegradable additive work to make plastic more eco-friendly?

ADDITIVE ADDED
STEP 1. ADDITIVE ADDED
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Tiny amount of additive is added during manufacture of plastic packaging.

Additives work in most polymer PE, PP,PS, PET, BOPP Flexible and Rigid

Additive makes polymer molecules more hydrophilic.
used, reused & recycled
STEP 2. USED, REUSED & RECYCLED
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Treated plastic maintains similar physical properties as the original plastic.

Treated plastic packaging gets used, reused and recycled as per original plastic until it gets disposed
BIODEGRADATION
STEP 3. BIODEGRADATION
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When treated packaging ends up in landfill, the plastic will Anaerobic and Aerobically biodegrade into Biomass, CO2, CH4 & H2O.

Gases can be collected as in some countries to produce energy

NOT breakdown to little pieces

NO microplastic

Comparison

Differences of 3 main technologies in the market

Product & Packaging with
Our Additive Technology
Product & Packaging with
Our Additive Technology
  • Reusable and Recyclable
  • Not require separate waste bins
  • Biodegrade in aerobic compost & anaerobic landfill environment
  • Not result in little pieces and micro plastic
  • Infinite shelf life
  • Retain properties of regular plastic
Product & Packaging using
Bioresin material eg.PLA , PHA
Product & Packaging using
Bioresin material eg.PLA , PHA
  • Biodegrade most effectively in composting facility
  • Not intended for landfill.
  • Non recyclable
  • Not compatible with main stream plastic waste for recycle
  • Requires separate waste bin
  • Has to meet standard ASTM 6400 and EN13432
Product & Packaging with
OXO Additive Technology
Product & Packaging with
OXO Additive Technology
  • Limited shelf and service life
  • Breakdown to little pieces due to sensitive to light/02
  • Issues with microplastic
  • Not Recyclable
  • Can ruin mainstream plastic waste for recyclability
  • Requires separate waste bin

Benefits

Benefits of Our Biodegradable Additive Technolgy

Additive
Additive
  • Works in most resins PE, PP, PS, PET, BOPP and more
  • 100% active ingredient and no carrier resin
  • Basically only 2 types of additive – pellet and liquid
  • Price competitive & highly affordable
  • No special storage required so low maintenance cost
  • Food contact safe based on FDA testing specifications
Processing
Processing
  • Simple to use with no varying addition rates
  • Not require change in production or processing conditions
  • Not using multiple types of additive for different resins and product specifications
  • Works in most conventional equipments– extrusion, injection molding
  • No need to adjust thickness of product
  • No need UV inhibitors
End Product
End Product
  • Food safe and highly stable during shelf & service life
  • Not break down to little pieces and not result in microplastic
  • Comply with the ISO 14021:1999
  • Compatible in recycling & non toxic to environment
  • Effective biodegradation verified with ASTM D5511 , ISO DIS15985, ASTM D5526 & ASTM D5338
  • No special storage needed so lower maintenance cost
How does it work

Most Popular Questions

When employed to its maximum potential, SAWeco forms a seamless cycle of renewable energy, diminishing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing emissions.

When a product containing SAWeco additive is discarded in an active microbial environment, it possesses the capability to attract over 600 distinct microbial varieties found in both aerobic and anaerobic settings. These microbes form a colony, create a biofilm around the product, and commence enzyme secretion. Upon contact with the SAWeco additive, these enzymes act as catalysts, aiding in the breakdown of complex polymer chains. This process facilitates the complete return of the product to nature, leaving only minimal biomass and water residues.

As the product undergoes rapid biodegradation, facilitated by the SAWeco Additive, the majority of the mass is emitted as gases. These gases now hold the potential to be transformed into natural and renewable energy sources.

For a polymer product to initiate biodegradation, it needs to be discarded in a dynamic microbial setting. Examples include landfills, marine environments, nutrient-rich agricultural soil, and more. Products enhanced with SAWeco additives won't start decomposing on a warehouse shelf or in the hands of the consumer. The presence of an active microbial environment is essential for the process to begin.

No, a microplastic is defined as a plastic particle smaller than 5 mm that lacks biodegradability.

When items treated with the SAWeco additive undergo biodegradation, the majority of the product's mass is released as gases, leaving behind minimal biomass and water. The entire product returns to nature. Importantly, the SAWeco additive does not play a role in the creation of microplastics.

Microplastics are generated when products containing technologies like oxo-degradable technologies use heat, light, and mechanical stress to fragment plastic in an abiotic (physical rather than biological) process. This can contribute to the production of microplastics.

In contrast, our additive attracts microbes and enhances their capacity to consume the polymer, fostering genuine biodegradation solely through a biotic process (biological rather than physical breakdown). As a result, it does not contribute to the formation of microplastics.

The SAWeco additive is versatile and compatible with virtually any polymer type. We offer commercially available formulations in pellet, liquid, and powder forms to cater to diverse application needs.
We have pellet, liquid, and powder formulations commercially available.
We recommend utilizing our additive within one year of receiving the product or within two years from the manufacturing date. Once incorporated into the final product, the shelf life becomes virtually unlimited.

We advise adding 1% by weight of the final product. Some customers opt for a slightly higher percentage, such as 1.5 or 2%, to expedite biodegradation.

Note:

For multilayered products, include 1% additive in each layer.

For thicker products, please consult with SAWeco representatives to explore the possibility of adding more than 1% additive.

We discourage the use of oxidizing agents or antimicrobial additives in conjunction with the SAWeco additive, as they can counteract its effectiveness.

The SAWeco additive exhibits slight hygroscopic properties. It is advisable to keep the additive sealed when not in use. Generally, drying is not necessary for 201 pellets in most applications. 

However, for PET applications, it is recommended to dry when using 202 and 203. In some instances, when utilizing 201 pellets in PET fiber and filament applications, drying may be required for optimal results. Refer to the separate Drying Instructions document for guidance.

Indeed, SAWeco additives are food safe and compliant with the FDA. They hold the designation of being Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Our commitment to food safety is reinforced through our self-declared GRAS letter, and we substantiate FDA compliance with the results from third-party food and migration testing.

Yes. SAWeco additive is safe for the recycling stream and the use of the additive does not change the recycling designation of the final product.

In adherence to regulatory requirements, most countries necessitate third-party biodegradation testing to substantiate claims of biodegradability. At BioSphere Plastic, we strongly encourage our customers to conduct testing on their final products.

Many choose to make claims, supported by third-party testing, specifically based on landfill conditions, given that this is typically the disposal environment. The ASTM D5511 (ISO 15985) method is commonly employed, simulating an accelerated or optimized anaerobic landfill setting.

Drawing from our experience, most products using BioSphere additive demonstrate a completed biodegradation cycle within 2-3 years, with some achieving it slightly sooner and others requiring a longer duration.

Biodegradation is influenced by factors such as the polymer type, thickness, molecular weight, and the inclusion of fillers.
The SAWeco additive is not intended to meet Industrial Compostable standards with a 1% load rate (achieving 90% biodegradation in 180 days). Our emphasis is on augmenting biodegradation in prevalent disposal methods, particularly landfill biodegradation. Nevertheless, the scope of biodegradation extends beyond landfills. Our additive is designed to attract and aid microbes in biodegrading polymers in various active microbial environments, including agricultural-rich soil and marine environments.
No, there is a distinction. Oxo-degradable technologies employ light, heat, and mechanical stress to break down the product into fragments, potentially contributing to microplastics. In contrast, the SAWeco additive remains unaffected by heat, light, and mechanical stress, eliminating any contribution to the microplastics issue. The SAWeco additive initiates the biodegradation process when disposed of in an active aerobic or anaerobic environment, such as a landfill, soil, or marine environment. "Active" denotes the presence of microbes actively consuming materials. The SAWeco additive specifically requires the presence of microbes to initiate the polymer consumption process.