A bioplastic can be biodegradable and derived from organic materials such as wheat, maize or beet.
A bioplastic can be biodegradable and made wholly or partly from annually renewable plant raw materials (biomass): in this case it is called "bio-based".
Currently, the only standard at European level that specifies what is meant by "biodegradable plastic material" is EN 13432 of 2002, dedicated to compostable packaging, adopted in Italy as UNI EN 13432:2002. It determines the criteria for the compostability of a given bioplastic in an industrial composting plant, i.e. at high temperatures (55-60 °C), at a given level of humidity, in the presence of oxygen: conditions definitely more suitable for biodegradation than the natural conditions of biodegradation in the soil, in fresh water or in the marine environment.
The biodegradable plastics currently on the market are mainly made of flour or starch from maize, wheat or other cereals. Those certified as biodegradable and compostable, in accordance with European Standard EN 13432, if properly disposed of after use (in accordance with the practices of your municipality), form part of the compost created by industrial composting plants: a fertiliser that can be used in agriculture.
