Interpretation of the New Regulation: Five Key Changes in EN13432-2024

        The new EN13432 standard, which will be formally implemented by the European Commission in June 2024, puts forward more stringent requirements for PLA/PBAT materials. According to TÜV Süd statistics, the certification pass rate in the first month after the implementation of the new standard was only 58%, down 24 percentage points from the old standard. The main changes include:

1. Extended test cycle: from 90 days to 180 days (actual time consumed is about 8 months)

2. Tighter heavy metal limits: lead content reduced from 50mg/kg to 20mg/kg.

3. New ecotoxicity test: survival rate of earthworms should be ≥90%.

4. Microplastic testing: particle size <5mm residue must not exceed 0.1%.

5. Label standardization: must indicate “industrial composting only” or “home composting”.

Technical response: material modification four-step method

Step 1: formulation optimization

PLA material:

Add 1-3% chain extender (such as ADR-4468) to enhance the molecular weight

Recommended compounding ratio: PLA/PBAT = 70/30 (throughput rate increased to 82%)

PBAT material:

Adopt a new type of zinc catalyst (degradation speed increased by 40%)

Control the proportion of butanedioic acid in the ratio of 45-48mol%.

Step 2: Key points for process adjustment

Parameters Old standard requirements New regulations Optimized solution

Extrusion temperature 160-180°C 145-155°C

Drying time 4h 6h (Dew point -40°C)

Die head pressure ＜15MPa 8-12MPa

Step 3: Additives Selection

Essential additives:

Anti hydrolysis agent (e.g. Stabaxol P200)

Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticle (5-8% to enhance disintegration)

Prohibited agents:

Lead/cadmium-containing color masterbatches

Talc with particle size >5μm

Certification Strategy: Reduce Time and Cost

Certification Process Illustration (2024 New Version)

Pre-testing (2 weeks) → Formal Application → Disintegration Test (12 weeks) → Ecotoxicity (4 weeks) → Final Report (4 weeks)

Cost Control Tips

1. Combination certification: packaged testing of similar products (30% cost savings)

2. Pre-screening service: heavy metal/microplastic screening first ($800/time)

3. Green channel: choose TÜV’s “fast track” (expedited fee of $5000)

Enterprise Practical Case Library

Successful Case A: A PLA lunch box company

Problem: Initial test disintegration rate is only 83%

Solution:

Add 3% citrate plasticizer

Adjust the thickness from 0.4mm to 0.3mm

Result: Second test reaches 96%, takes 4 months

Failure Case B: A PBAT mulch film manufacturer

Lesson: Neglect the earthworm test (survival rate of 72%)

Loss: Re-testing cost $18, 000 + order postponement penalty Loss: Retesting cost $18,000 + order delay penalty

Assessment of Alternatives

PLA/PBAT vs. Emerging Materials

Indicators PLA/PBAT PHA Cellulose-based

Difficulty of Certification ★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★

Cost ($/ton) 2,100-2,500 3,800-4,200 2,800-3,200

Capacity Flexibility High Low Medium

180-day action schedule

Day 1-30: Diagnostic phase

Pre-testing of existing formulations (focus: heavy metals/disintegration rate)

Selection of certification body (recommended: TÜV/SGS)

Day 31-90: Improvement phase

Adjustment of process parameters (according to the previous scheme)

Sample preparation for small trials (at least 3 batches)

Day 91-180: Certification phase

Submission of complete application documents (including MSDS, process description)

Simultaneous preparation of new version of packaging design

Expert warning

“It is expected that 25-30% of SMEs will exit the EU market in 2025 due to failure to meet standards,” states Dr. Schmidt, Technical Director of the International Society for Biodegradable Materials (ISBM), “Companies must take immediate action and in particular get hold of the following three life-saving tips:”

1. Formulation backup: Prepare at least 2 standardized formulations

2. Certification front-loading: start the process 8 months in advance

3. Customer communication: Explain the changes in lead time due to the new regulations.