28 December 2010 – Ecocycle™ Technology, developed by Conwed® Global Netting Solutions, was shown to be completely oxo-biodegradable in recent independent laboratory testing.
“These independent test results reinforce what we already knew — Ecocycle™ Technology offers the same strength as conventional netting and adds distinctive value through oxo-biodegradation back into nature,” said Ivan Soltero, Strategic Marketing Manager at Conwed®. “Based on the distinctive value and functionality that Ecocycle™ Technology provides, our customers have an alternative to natural fibers such as jute at a much lower cost.”
An erosion control blanket utilizing a UV degrader will degrade the top layer of netting, but the bottom layer could rest on the ground for more than 100 years before degradation. Erosion control netting that incorporates Ecocycle™ Technology will break down the top and bottom layer in 2 to 5 years and then fully oxo-biodegrade in less than 20 years. For even shorter-term blankets, Ecocycle™ Rapid Degrade will lose its mechanical strength completely in 60 to 120 days — after a 30-day functional longevity — by using ultraviolet light from the sun as an added accelerant.
When applied to erosion control blanket netting, Ecocycle™ is the only technology that degrades in a two-step process. First, the application combines heat and oxygen from the atmosphere to act as an accelerant, causing a rapid molecular weight reduction in plastic netting strands. After the net breaks down into smaller fragments, biodegradation starts and microbes in the soil convert the netting fragments into biomass, carbon dioxide and water.
Ecocycle™ Technology is the result of several years of field research. With a significant percentage of the market already using Ecocycle™ Technology, this testing validates 2 years of great performance under the harshest conditions in the Erosion Control industry.
“Ecocycle™ Technology has been used in commercial applications since 2003. It has been DOT tested and approved. These results add to those we already have from rigorous and extensive testing at internal labs, independent labs and universities, and customer applications,” said Dr. Guangda Shi, Director of Research and Development at Conwed®.
Ecocycle™ Technology, developed by Conwed®, exceeds ASTM International’s D6954 testing standard, titled “Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation.”
ASTM International is widely regarded as one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world, setting technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. The testing was conducted this summer at Biosystems Atlanta, an extension of Biosystems, Inc.
About Conwed® Global Netting Solutions
Conwed® is a global company, specializing in total netting solutions, from concept to commercialization. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Conwed® manufactures a complete line of high-performance netting used in major markets ranging from consumer-packaged goods to building materials. Conwed® markets products in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and has six manufacturing plants located in North America and Europe. www.conwedplastics.com
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