MHG’s bioplastic earns marine biodegradable certification from Vinçotte

In March of this year, the Belgian test, inspection and certification agency Vinçotte International introduced its newest certification scheme for marine biodegradability. Now, the biopolymer company MHG has become the first company to obtain OK biodegradable MARINE Certification from Vinçotte International, verifying this company's claim regarding the biodegradability of its PHA materials in the marine environment. This verification, said MGH, "distinguishes MHG's truly marine biodegradable product from unverified claims by competitors with similar products."

 "This additional certification provides even more support to the credibility and potential of Nodax PHA," said Dr. Paul Pereira, MHG's CEO and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Pointing to an article published February 13, 2015, in Science magazine under the title 'Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into Ocean', he expressed his concern at the scope of the marine plastics and microplastics problem. "As more evidence and research suggests the degraded welfare of all marine ecosystems, caused primarily from plastic pollution, the health of our oceans is a growing concern worldwide," Pereira said. "With MHG's ocean friendly product, our company provides a strong solution for a healthier planet."

MHG (Meredian Holdings Group, Inc.) is the holding company of Meredian Inc., a leading producer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and of DaniMer Scientific, L.L.C., a specialist in the customization of biopolymer formulations that combine PHA, PLA and other biopolymers through a proprietary reactive extrusion process.

The aim of Vinçotte's "OK biodegradable MARINE" certification is to provide manufacturers with a means to verify the claim of biodegradability of materials or products in the marine environment.  Considering the fact that most of the marine debris originates from land, marine biodegradability is an added value to any product or packaging, regardless of where it is consumed. Material producers investing in adding this functionality to any product or packaging should have the opportunity to have this information verified according to international standards.

The new certification scheme ensures that products that are certified and do end up in marine water will completely biodegrade, rather than fragment or steadily break down into smaller contaminants.

Vinçotte is extremely cautious about not encouraging littering. The actual use of the OK biodegradable MARINE logo is therefore only allowed on products that are used in the marine environment (e.g. fishing line, baits, cull panels etc.), and is not permitted to be used on products that could possibly encourage (marine) littering.

As an independent and impartial service provider, Vinçotte offers inspections, testing, certifications, and training in a variety of fields, including environmental protection. Vinçotte tests products based on the European standard for compostable packaging and is in step with all current requirements. It is the only organization to offer customized certification labels for each biodegradation environment.

Vinçotte tested MHG's PHA product according to International Standards, and confirmed it would naturally break down completely in marine water.

This certification is the fifth that MHG has received from Vinçotte. MGH also holds certifications for biodegradability in soil, freshwater, and home and industrial composting.