Circular Economy and Sustainability

The Andaltec Technology Centre provides a range of services for the development and testing of more sustainable plastic materials. Furthermore, it assists companies in the plastics sector in meeting the requirements set out in European regulations, the Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil, and the Andalusian Law on the Circular Economy, among others.

• Testing and certification of recyclability.

• Certification of recycled material in plastic products. Andaltec provides qualified personnel to assist companies in certifying the recycled content of a product based on UNE-EN 15343:2008 standard under the RecyClass scheme. With the current legislative context, following the entry into force of Law 7/22 on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy, and the implementation of the Plastic Tax since January, non-reusable plastic packaging is taxed for using virgin raw material. This tax can be reduced by using recycled material. From January 1, 2024, it is mandatory to certify recycled content through an entity accredited under the UNE-EN 15343:2008 standard. Andaltec helps companies prepare for certification.

• Compostability testing and certification. Determination of the compostability grade of a material or final product according to UNE-EN 13432 standard.

• Disintegration testing according to ISO 16929:2002(E) standard.

• Determination of the disintegration degree of plastic materials under defined composting conditions in a pilot-scale test.

• Biodegradability testing according to ISO 14855-1 standard. Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of a plastic material under controlled composting conditions (analysis of CO₂ evolution). Determination of the biodegradability grade of a material or final product according to UNE-EN 13432 standard.

• Development of new sustainable plastic composites by adding vegetable fibers, mineral fillers, or waste from other industries.

• Development of reusable plastic products.

• Introduction of recycled raw materials in plastic materials.

• Improvement of plastic materials’ recyclability.

• Characterization and analysis of the physical-chemical and mechanical properties of bioplastics and recycled plastics.

• Product lifespan analysis: Microbiological analysis, determination of properties such as oxidation, weight loss, dehydration, firmness, pH, etc.

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint analysis.