The FPR establishes rigorous standards regarding environmental safety.

BERLIN, Nov. 15, 2024 — The European Bioplastics (EUBP) welcomes the inclusion of soil-biodegradable mulch films, coating agents, and water retention polymers in the FPR. The organization commends the regulation’s emphasis on existing standards related to the biodegradation of mulch films in soil. These newly defined biodegradability criteria are rigorous but scientifically sound, providing comprehensive evidence that certified soil-biodegradable mulch films are environmentally safe and contribute to soil health and fertility.

In October 2024, the European Union integrated certain soil-biodegradable products into the Fertilising Products Regulation 1009/2019. This includes soil-biodegradable mulch films, coating agents, and water retention polymers. Notably, soil-biodegradable mulch films have been classified as Soil Improvers.

These products may carry the CE mark (effective from 20 November 2024 for soil-biodegradable mulch films and from 17 October 2028 for coating agents and water retention polymers). This signifies that they have undergone rigorous assessments to meet the stringent safety, health, and environmental protection requirements of the EU. Consequently, these products can be traded within the expanded Single Market in the European Economic Area without restrictions. “The inclusion has paved the way for increased investments, innovation, and research in this field, which is strongly aligned with a circular bioeconomy,” remarks Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of EUBP.

“Certified soil-biodegradable mulch films have been utilized on agricultural soils for over two decades, and their agronomic behavior and end-of-life have been extensively evaluated. They have demonstrated comparable agronomic efficiency to conventional, non-biodegradable plastics, particularly in terms of increased crop yield and quality, weed control, and enhanced soil temperature and moisture,” he adds.

According to EUBP, certified soil-biodegradable mulch films offer significant advantages when complete retrieval and recycling of mulch films based on conventional plastics are not feasible. Such situations could lead to potential topsoil loss or the accumulation of persistent microplastics. In particular, thin (below 30 µm) non-biodegradable mulch films are challenging to retrieve, contributing to a concerning level of plastic pollution in agricultural fields.

“Soil-biodegradable mulch films are designed to biodegrade in situ, eliminating the need for post-harvest retrieval, recycling, or disposal. Their inclusion in the FPR represents a substantial step towards promoting a sustainable bioeconomy within the agricultural sector while tackling the issue of persistent microplastics in soils,” von Pogrell concludes.

Contact: press@european-bioplastics.org