Manage your
Plastic footprint Better!
BioTransformation Technology causes plastic to
self-destruct in nature if it is not recycled
How does it work?
NO Microplastics
NO Toxins
1. Air, moisture and sun activate the catalysts
2. Plastic structure changes into a wax consumed by microbes
3. Wax breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass
4. Nothing toxic remains after full degradation
1. Air, moisture and sun activate the catalysts
2. Plastic structure changes into a wax consumed by microbes
3. Wax breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass
4. Nothing toxic remains after full degradation
IN-DEPTH CASE STUDY - CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTER WEATHERING
Bcycle works with polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (LDPE), used in a wide range of products like containers, lids, bags, wraps, mesh bags, masks, and more
With Bcycle Biotransformation Technology, PP and LDPE plastics can be either recycled or can safely return to nature if they become fugitive plastic waste. It provides a greener solution to help companies meet sustainability goals without compromising on performance.
Key Features:
- Recyclable – Can be recycled normally like standard polyolefins
- Biotransformative – Transforms into bio wax when exposed to air, moisture and sun
- Time-controlled – Breakdown process optimized for product lifetime and recovery
- Certified Biodegradable – Meets international standards for safe breakdown bsi. PAS 9017:2020
The technology remains dormant during the product’s useful life, allowing it to function like normal plastic. But if diverted into the natural environment, it is designed to safely bio-transform through a natural process.
BSI PAS 9017
Advanced catalytic system is able to transform PP & PE materials into a bioavailable wax which naturally occurring microorganisms can easily assimilate
Tested & certified to international biodegradability standard (BSI PAS 9017) underpinned by EN, ASTM and ISO standards (ASTM D5988/ISO 17556)1
Verification of compliance to PAS9017 standard is released by third party independent lab.
Technology
challenged against
3 different requirements:
- Weathering and related chemical analysis to establish polymer transformation into wax
- Ecotox testing to prove no toxic substances are present in the resulting wax
- Full biodegradation of wax
BSI PAS 9017 Testing & Criteria
|
Phase Gate 1 - Criteria Chemical analysis performed upon conclusion of weathering |
Phase Gate 2 - Criteria Environmental safety of the waxes |
Phase Gate 3 - Criteria Biodegradation of the waxes |
|
|
Pass/Fail Criteria defining a bioavailable wax: |
Pass/Fail Criteria defining environmental safety of bioavailable waxes |
Biodegradation on soil under mesophilic conditions >90% |
|
|
Carbonyl Index (CI) |
> 1 |
Tested for both acute and chronic effects |
Biodegradation testing under ASTM D5988 and ISO 17556 |
|
Reduction in weight-average molecular weight (Mw) |
> 90% |
OECD 202 OECD 211 |
Shows the conversion of carbon in the test material (the bioavailable wax) to carbon dioxide, biomass and water |
|
Number-average molecular weight (Mn) |
< 5,000 Da |
Passing OECD 211 demonstrates no heavy metals, no toxic compounds and no leachates of harmful impact to aquatic systems |
|
|
Z-average Molecular weight (Mz) |
< 30,000 Da |
||
|
UV weathering under ASTM D4329 / ISO 4892-3 Xenon-arc weathering under ASTM D2565 / ISO 4892-2 UV (film) or Xenon-arc (rigid) for a defined short period of time representing (through calculation) to be no more than 4 months corresponding to South Florida conditions |
Passing OECD 208 & 222 no chronic harmful effects due to longer term exposure in soil |
|
Phase Gate 1 - Criteria Chemical analysis performed upon conclusion of weathering |
Phase Gate 2 - Criteria Environmental safety of the waxes |
Phase Gate 3 - Criteria Biodegradation of the waxes |
|
|
Pass/Fail Criteria defining a bioavailable wax: |
Pass/Fail Criteria defining environmental safety of bioavailable waxes |
Biodegradation on soil under mesophilic conditions >90% |
|
|
Carbonyl Index (CI) |
> 1 |
Tested for both acute and chronic effects |
Biodegradation testing under ASTM D5988 and ISO 17556 |
|
Reduction in weight-average molecular weight (Mw) |
> 90% |
OECD 202 OECD 211 |
Shows the conversion of carbon in the test material (the bioavailable wax) to carbon dioxide, biomass and water |
|
Number-average molecular weight (Mn) |
< 5,000 Da |
Passing OECD 211 demonstrates no heavy metals, no toxic compounds and no leachates of harmful impact to aquatic systems |
|
|
Z-average Molecular weight (Mz) |
< 30,000 Da |
||
|
UV weathering under ASTM D4329 / ISO 4892-3 Xenon-arc weathering under ASTM D2565 / ISO 4892-2 UV (film) or Xenon-arc (rigid) for a defined short period of time representing (through calculation) to be no more than 4 months corresponding to South Florida conditions |
Passing OECD 208 & 222 no chronic harmful effects due to longer term exposure in soil |
Bcycle Q&A / FAQ
Here are slightly expanded answers:
Q: Is it a biodegradable bag?
A: It is not made of bioplastic which is able to biodegrade. However, when the bag bio-transforms into bio-wax, it fully biodegrades in open environments.
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Q: What is the biotransformation process?
A: Products contain Bcycle additive has a time-controlled release designed for a product’s lifespan, around 12 months dormancy before activating. It remains stable in clean storage but activates when mismanaged into the natural environment. The combination of heat, air, and moisture transforms the plastic into a bio-wax through proprietary catalysts.
Independent testing showed 100% biodegradation of plastic containers in 336 days and plastic film in 266 days through this process. It requires no industrial composting, leaves no microplastics, and causes no environmental toxicity.
The biowax is consumed by natural microbes, fungi and bacteria. After full degradation, no plastic trace remains. We carefully steward materials to ensure full breakdown and no harm to the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse and recycle. The time-controlled process enables recycling before biotransformation if disposed properly.
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Q: What text and standard confirm the technology is effective?
A: The materials tested under bsi. PAS 9017:2020 is a British standard that provides guidelines for assessing the biodegradation of plastics in the environment. It outlines testing methods and criteria to determine how effectively a plastic material breaks down when exposed to natural conditions. Contact us to see test results.
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Q: How is your technology different from oxo-degradable plastics banned by the EU?
A: Our technology biodegrades into CO2, water and biomass through chemical and biological processes, not microplastics or chemical decomposition like oxo-degradable plastics. Our approach is novel and patented, fundamentally redesigning plastics at manufacture for safe end of life.
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Q: Doesn’t your technology encourage littering over recycling?
A: No, we would never encourage irresponsible disposal. We work closely with partners to communicate proper recycling and disposal. Our time-controlled technology helps deal with the unfortunate reality of fugitive plastic that escapes collection systems while still promoting recycling as the priority.
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Q: How does your technology work?
A: We add a proprietary masterbatch with catalysts and cocatalysts to plastics during manufacturing. After a specified dormancy period, these catalysts break down the plastic’s structure into a biocompatible wax-like material consumed by microbes, fungi and bacteria naturally occurring in the environment. This process leaves no toxic microplastic residue or ecotoxicity issues.
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Q: What products can use your technology?
A: Our technology works with polypropylene, LDPE – polyethylene, used in a wide range of products like containers, lids, bags, wraps, nets, masks, and more.
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Q: Where are the microbes that biodegrade the plastic found?
A: The microbes, fungi and bacteria that consume the wax are naturally occurring almost anywhere in the environment outside of polar regions. Our technology utilizes multiple triggers like UV, air, and moisture to activate, ensuring biodegradation without need for special facilities.
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Q: What if the plastic goes into a landfill?
A: Our focus is on fugitive plastic, the 32% that escapes the system into nature. Unfortunately nothing biodegrades in sterile landfill conditions. We enable recycling as the priority for plastic waste while providing a safe end of life for plastic that slips through.
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Q: How does your technology help with marine plastic?
A: Most marine plastic originates from mismanaged land waste and fragments into microplastics before reaching waterways. By enabling safe breakdown of plastics on land, our technology stops plastic from degrading into hazardous microplastics that pollute oceans.
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Q: Why companies would pay more for self-destructive plastic product?
A: The growing global plastic pollution crisis require us to innovate a proven way to safely biodegrade problematic plastic instead of it accumulating and fragmenting into microplastics in the environment.
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Q: How do you support the circular economy?
A: We embraced the 4Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle, and redesign. Our technology is designed for safe end of life while enabling recycling. We aim to advance solutions that consider the full complexity of issues like waste, climate change, and biodiversity loss.