- In June 2024, NUREL SA earned the prestigious TÜV OK biodegradable SOIL certification for its biopolymer range designed for agricultural mulching applications. This certification confirms that NUREL’s products fully biodegrade in soil without leaving harmful residues, aligning with the company’s mission to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible farming practices. In addition, NUREL’s biopolymers comply with the EN 17033 standard, ensuring both biodegradability and performance in real-world agricultural conditions. This milestone reinforces NUREL’s leadership in advancing eco-friendly plastic alternatives that support soil health and reduce environmental impact
- In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded a four-year, $744,000 grant to a research team led by Lehigh University and UMass Lowell to develop biodegradable mulch films that not only suppress weeds and conserve water but also nourish soil and reduce plastic pollution. These innovative films will integrate biopolymers such as PLA and PHA with urea-based nutrient cocrystals, enabling them to decompose naturally while releasing fertilizers. The project aims to replace conventional plastic mulch with eco-friendly, nutrient-enhancing alternatives, supporting sustainable farming and healthier soils
- In March 2024, Sulzer partnered with Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) to supply advanced polylactic acid (PLA) production technologies for India’s first bioplastics plant. Located adjacent to BCML’s sugarcane processing facility, the plant will produce 75,000 tons annually of compostable and fully recyclable bioplastics using sugarcane as the primary feedstock. This initiative highlights the growing shift toward agriculture-based bioplastic production, including applications such as biodegradable mulch films, and supports India’s broader sustainability goals by reducing reliance on fossil-based plastics
- In October 2023, BioBag International AS launched BioAgri, a biodegradable mulch film tailored for agricultural use. Designed to replace conventional plastic mulch, BioAgri fully decomposes in soil after use, eliminating the need for manual removal and reducing environmental impact. This innovation supports sustainable farming by addressing the growing concern over plastic waste in agriculture, while maintaining the benefits of traditional mulch—such as weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil temperature regulation. BioAgri is certified compostable and aligns with EU standards for biodegradability in soil
- In October 2023, Mondi plc partnered with Cotesi S.A. to launch Advantage Kraft Mulch, a 100% kraft paper mulch film designed to replace conventional plastic alternatives in agriculture. Created from responsibly sourced wood with no plastic or coating, this industrially compostable solution offers comparable protection against weeds, erosion, and weather while naturally decomposing after harvest. Certified under DIN EN 13432, the mulch film adds organic matter to the soil, eliminating the need for costly removal or recycling. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to sustainable farming practices and reducing plastic pollution in agriculture
