The Development History of Biodegradable Tape in the USA!

With the increasing global awareness of environmental protection, biodegradable tape, as an environmentally friendly and sustainable product, is gradually becoming one of the popular products internationally. As the leader in the biodegradable tape industry, the development of biodegradable tape in the United States deserves attention. Biodegradable tape is a type of tape that decomposes in the natural environment. They are usually made from natural materials such as plant fatty acids, cellulose, and starch. Compared to traditional tape, biodegradable tape is more environmentally friendly and beneficial in reducing human impact on the environment. In recent years, due to the increasing demand for environmental protection worldwide, biodegradable tape has gradually become a trend, and the development of biodegradable tape in the United States, as well as the standard for biodegradable tape in the United States, is driving this trend.

 

I. Development history of biodegradable tape in the United States

 

The development of biodegradable tape in the United States can be traced back to the 1990s when the concepts of green and environmental protection began to popularize in the country, leading many companies and research institutions to develop biodegradable materials to reduce their environmental impact. Against this backdrop, biodegradable tape began to enter people's vision.

 

The earliest biodegradable tape was mainly made of starch and other natural materials, which had good biodegradability, but because their strength and adhesiveness were relatively low, it was difficult to replace traditional plastic tape. Later, researchers began to explore the use of high-strength materials to manufacture biodegradable tape, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which could produce biodegradable tape with higher strength and adhesiveness.

 

In recent years, as the demand for biodegradable tape has increased, many companies and start-ups have begun to turn their attention to this field, and their continuous innovation has driven the development of biodegradable tape. They are committed to developing more environmentally friendly and sustainable biodegradable tape, such as using renewable raw materials or mixing biodegradable materials with other materials.

 

The development of biodegradable tape in the United States has not only promoted the development of biodegradable materials but also to some extent, promoted the development of sustainable packaging. In recent years, sustainable packaging has gradually become a hot topic, and biodegradable tape has become an important component of sustainable packaging.

 

Early stage:

In the 1970s, the United States began to research the production and application of biodegradable materials. At that time, biodegradable materials were mainly based on natural materials such as starch and cellulose, which could naturally degrade under humidity and temperature conditions.

 

Modern stage:

With the advancement of technology and market demand, the types of biodegradable materials have also been expanded. In the modern stage, biodegradable materials are mainly composed of polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, starch-based materials, etc. These materials have good biodegradability and biocompatibility and have become the main materials in the biodegradable tape industry.

 

Industry development:

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and market demand, the biodegradable tape industry has made significant progress in the United States. Nowadays, biodegradable tape in the United States has been widely used in packaging, labeling, medical and other fields, becoming...

 

II. Standards for Biodegradable Tape in the United States

 

In order to standardize the production and use of biodegradable tape, the United States has developed a series of standards, which include the following aspects:

 

Biodegradability Performance

Biodegradable tape in the United States is required to meet certain biodegradability performance requirements. For example, the ASTM D6400 standard specifies that biodegradable materials must degrade at least 90% of their mass within 180 days under experimental conditions. These requirements ensure that biodegradable tape can degrade in a timely manner after use, reducing pollution to the environment.

 

Chemical Composition

Biodegradable tape in the United States is required to meet certain chemical composition requirements. For example, the ASTM D6868 standard specifies that the polymer portion of biodegradable materials should contain at least 60% renewable raw materials, which can come from plants, animals, or other renewable resources. This ensures that the production process of biodegradable tape has less impact on the environment.

 

Heavy Metal Content

Biodegradable tape in the United States is required to meet certain requirements for heavy metal content. For example, the ASTM D7081 standard specifies that the heavy metal content of biodegradable materials should be below a certain limit to avoid harm to the environment and human health.

 

Printing Ink

Degradable tapes in the United States are required to meet certain printing ink requirements. For example, ASTM D6866 requires that the printing ink in degradable tapes should contain at least 10% renewable materials, which should be the same as the tape material to ensure the overall degradability of the product.

 

To promote the development of degradable tapes, the US government and some organizations have begun to pay attention to the quality and safety issues of degradable tapes, and gradually began to formulate related standards. Here are several major degradable tape standards:

 

ASTM D6400: This is a degradable plastic standard developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for evaluating the decomposition ability and environmental impact of biodegradable plastics. Degradable tapes that comply with this standard must decompose in organic matter piles on Earth and must not have any harmful effects on the environment.

 

BPI: BPI stands for the Biodegradable Products Institute, which provides certification services for the manufacturing and sale of degradable tapes. Degradable tapes that meet BPI certification standards must comply with ASTM D6400 and also meet other requirements, such as using renewable energy in the production process.

 

EN 13432: This is a European standard similar to ASTM D6400, but it also adds requirements for chemical composition and heavy metal content. Degradable tapes that comply with EN 13432 must decompose in organic matter piles on Earth without having any negative effects on soil or water bodies.

 

In addition to the above standards, the US government has also issued some related regulations, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Plastic Guidelines and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Green Guidelines, which provide specific requirements for the labeling, statements, and promotion of degradable tapes.

 

Summary:

 

The development of degradable tapes has become an important trend in global environmental protection. As a country with strong environmental awareness, the United States has made great progress in the research and standardization of degradable tapes. With the continuous development and popularization of degradable tapes, we believe that degradable tapes will become an important substitute, reducing the impact on the environment and contributing to sustainable development.