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Written by Loren
Sunday, 20 June 2010
According to biodiesel pioneer Chemrez Technologies Inc., DOST-ITDI (Department of Science
and Technology- Industrial Technology Development Institute) just verified a unique additive
that makes plastic materials biodegradable.

DOST-ITDI issued Environmental Technology Verification-013 for BioMate, manufactured by

First In Colours Inc. (FIC), a ChemrezTech sister company.

BioMate is the first such additive in the P75-billion Philippine plastics film and bags industry to
be verified by the ITDI as making plastics both photo and biodegradable, although many
imported additives sold in the local market have made similar claims.

With BioMate, some plastic materials would brittle easily in 1 to 9 months through the process
of photo degradation. This process is the breakdown of plastic by ultraviolet light and thermal
energy from the sun.

Pollution of waterways which hurts marine life, clogging of sewage that causes flood, and
choking of landfills will now be prevented since there will be a biodegradation of some plastic
materials through using the said product.

At present, BioMate is being used to produce oxo-biodegradable plastic bags for leading
supermarkets, drugstores and many other retailers and food outlets in the Philippines. It is also
being exported abroad.

BioMate is nontoxic and free from heavy metals, including cobalt, making it suitable for use in
plastics for food-contact applications.

This product will surely help the country to lessen the pollution brought by plastic materials. [via
businessmirror.com.ph]
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