Frequently Asked Question
What is microplastic pollution?
Microplastic pollution refers to the accumulation of small plastic particles (typically defined as less than 5mm) in natural environments including soil, water, and air. These particles result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, or from materials that fragment without fully reintegrating. Microplastics can persist for long periods and are found across ecosystems. Not all materials that fragment produce microplastics, this depends on the composition of the material and how it degrades. Solinatra materials are assessed specifically against the criterion that they do not produce persistent microplastics.
Microplastic pollution refers to the accumulation of small plastic particles (typically defined as less than 5mm) in natural environments including soil, water, and air. These particles result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, or from materials that fragment without fully reintegrating. Microplastics can persist for long periods and are found across ecosystems. Not all materials that fragment produce microplastics, this depends on the composition of the material and how it degrades. Solinatra materials are assessed specifically against the criterion that they do not produce persistent microplastics.
What materials break down naturally?
Materials derived from natural sources can break down through biological processes depending on composition and environmental conditions. Breakdown does not always mean safe reintegration into natural systems.
Materials derived from natural sources can break down through biological processes depending on composition and environmental conditions. Breakdown does not always mean safe reintegration into natural systems.
Are biodegradable plastics safe for the environment?
Biodegradable plastics are not automatically safe for the environment. Their behaviour after use depends on composition, environmental conditions, and whether they fully break down or fragment into persistent particles. Some biodegradable plastics degrade safely under the right conditions. Others may leave residues or require industrial composting to break down at all. The classification biodegradable describes a characteristic, not an outcome.
Biodegradable plastics are not automatically safe for the environment. Their behaviour after use depends on composition, environmental conditions, and whether they fully break down or fragment into persistent particles. Some biodegradable plastics degrade safely under the right conditions. Others may leave residues or require industrial composting to break down at all. The classification biodegradable describes a characteristic, not an outcome.
What is the difference between plastic and bioplastic?
Plastic typically refers to synthetic polymer materials derived from fossil fuels, while bioplastics may be bio-based, biodegradable, or both. The term bioplastic does not define behaviour or environmental outcome. A bioplastic can still contain synthetic additives, produce microplastics, or require specific industrial conditions to degrade. Origin and composition are not the same as behaviour.
Plastic typically refers to synthetic polymer materials derived from fossil fuels, while bioplastics may be bio-based, biodegradable, or both. The term bioplastic does not define behaviour or environmental outcome. A bioplastic can still contain synthetic additives, produce microplastics, or require specific industrial conditions to degrade. Origin and composition are not the same as behaviour.
What is eco-friendly packaging?
Eco-friendly packaging is a broad, non-standardised term used to describe packaging designed to reduce environmental impact. It does not define what a material is made of, how it behaves after use, or whether it leaves persistent residues. A package can be labelled eco-friendly while still producing microplastics or requiring specific industrial conditions to break down. When evaluating packaging materials, behaviour after use, not the label, is what determines actual environmental outcome.
Within the Solinatra approach, materials are assessed based on behaviour, including breakdown, residue formation, and safe reintegration into natural systems.
Eco-friendly packaging is a broad, non-standardised term used to describe packaging designed to reduce environmental impact. It does not define what a material is made of, how it behaves after use, or whether it leaves persistent residues. A package can be labelled eco-friendly while still producing microplastics or requiring specific industrial conditions to break down. When evaluating packaging materials, behaviour after use, not the label, is what determines actual environmental outcome.
Within the Solinatra approach, materials are assessed based on behaviour, including breakdown, residue formation, and safe reintegration into natural systems.
Do biodegradable plastics leave microplastics?
Some biodegradable plastics can leave microplastics if they do not fully break down. Biodegradability does not guarantee complete reintegration, and materials may fragment into persistent particles depending on composition and environment.
Some biodegradable plastics can leave microplastics if they do not fully break down. Biodegradability does not guarantee complete reintegration, and materials may fragment into persistent particles depending on composition and environment.
Are bioplastics compostable?
Some bioplastics are compostable, but not all. The term bioplastic includes materials that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both, and compostability depends on specific material composition and conditions.
Some bioplastics are compostable, but not all. The term bioplastic includes materials that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both, and compostability depends on specific material composition and conditions.
Biodegradable vs compostable: what is the difference?
Biodegradable materials break down by biological processes over time, while compostable materials are designed to break down under defined conditions such as industrial compostable standard within set timeframe. The difference lies in predictability and control, as biodegradability does not define timeframe or outcome, while compostability refers to specific processes.
Biodegradable materials break down by biological processes over time, while compostable materials are designed to break down under defined conditions such as industrial compostable standard within set timeframe. The difference lies in predictability and control, as biodegradability does not define timeframe or outcome, while compostability refers to specific processes.
What processes are compatible with Solinatra?
Solinatra materials are compatible with common industrial processes including injection moulding, extrusion, and thermoforming. Compatibility depends on material specifications and intended application.
Solinatra materials are compatible with common industrial processes including injection moulding, extrusion, and thermoforming. Compatibility depends on material specifications and intended application.
How can companies work with Solinatra?
Companies can work with Solinatra by engaging with our framework for material evaluation. This collaborative process includes material assessment and application reviews to ensure our natural engineered materials meet your specific production needs.
Companies can work with Solinatra by engaging with our framework for material evaluation. This collaborative process includes material assessment and application reviews to ensure our natural engineered materials meet your specific production needs.
Is it scalable for industrial use?
Solinatra materials are developed for industrial scalability. They are compatible with standard manufacturing processes like injection moulding, extrusion, and thermoforming, and are designed to integrate into existing production lines without requiring significant infrastructure changes. Scalability depends on application requirements and production volume. Solinatra is already in use across multiple industries and processing environments.
Contact us to discuss capacity and supply requirements for your operation.
Solinatra materials are developed for industrial scalability. They are compatible with standard manufacturing processes like injection moulding, extrusion, and thermoforming, and are designed to integrate into existing production lines without requiring significant infrastructure changes. Scalability depends on application requirements and production volume. Solinatra is already in use across multiple industries and processing environments.
Contact us to discuss capacity and supply requirements for your operation.
Is it more expensive than plastic?
Material cost depends on application, production scale, and system requirements. Cost comparison with conventional plastics varies depending on volume, performance requirements, and supply chain conditions. Pricing should be evaluated in the context of full material behaviour rather than unit cost alone.
For pricing relevance to your applications and volumes, contact our sales team here.
Is Solinatra as strong as plastic?
Solinatra materials are engineered to meet the performance requirements of specific applications. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, rigidity, flexibility are matched to the intended use, and in many applications Solinatra achieves performance comparable to conventional plastic. Performance depends on material grade and application.
Solinatra materials are designed to perform during use and reintegrating safely to the natural systems after use. Contact us or request our TDS to review performance data for your specific application.
Solinatra materials are engineered to meet the performance requirements of specific applications. Mechanical properties like tensile strength, rigidity, flexibility are matched to the intended use, and in many applications Solinatra achieves performance comparable to conventional plastic. Performance depends on material grade and application.
Solinatra materials are designed to perform during use and reintegrating safely to the natural systems after use. Contact us or request our TDS to review performance data for your specific application.
How long does compostable material take to break down?
The time required for compostable materials to break down depends on the conditions in which they are processed. Industrial composting typically operates under controlled temperature and humidity, which can accelerate breakdown. Home composting conditions vary significantly and may result in slower or incomplete degradation. Breakdown time is one data point and does not indicate whether a material safely reintegrates into natural systems.
The time required for compostable materials to break down depends on the conditions in which they are processed. Industrial composting typically operates under controlled temperature and humidity, which can accelerate breakdown. Home composting conditions vary significantly and may result in slower or incomplete degradation. Breakdown time is one data point and does not indicate whether a material safely reintegrates into natural systems.
What is the difference between home composting and industrial composting?
Home composting and industrial composting differ in conditions, consistency, and outcome.
Industrial composting operates under controlled temperature, humidity, and airflow — typically above 55°C — which accelerates breakdown and produces consistent results. Materials processed this way break down within a defined timeframe under managed conditions.
Home composting is variable. Temperature, moisture, and microbial activity depend on the individual setup and climate. Materials that break down reliably in industrial conditions may degrade much more slowly — or incompletely — at home.
The practical difference matters: a material certified for industrial composting is not automatically suitable for home composting.
Solinatra materials are designed for both conditions depending on the grade and end-applications. For technical data on breakdown behaviour, request our TDS.
Home composting and industrial composting differ in conditions, consistency, and outcome.
Industrial composting operates under controlled temperature, humidity, and airflow — typically above 55°C — which accelerates breakdown and produces consistent results. Materials processed this way break down within a defined timeframe under managed conditions.
Home composting is variable. Temperature, moisture, and microbial activity depend on the individual setup and climate. Materials that break down reliably in industrial conditions may degrade much more slowly — or incompletely — at home.
The practical difference matters: a material certified for industrial composting is not automatically suitable for home composting.
Solinatra materials are designed for both conditions depending on the grade and end-applications. For technical data on breakdown behaviour, request our TDS.
What is compostable material?
Compostable material is a material that breaks down under defined composting conditions, such as those set by EN 13432 for industrial composting or ISO 20200 for controlled conditions. Compostability is assessed against specific temperature, humidity, and time parameters. It does not guarantee breakdown in all environments, and it does not guarantee that no persistent residues remain.
Compostable material is a material that breaks down under defined composting conditions, such as those set by EN 13432 for industrial composting or ISO 20200 for controlled conditions. Compostability is assessed against specific temperature, humidity, and time parameters. It does not guarantee breakdown in all environments, and it does not guarantee that no persistent residues remain.
What is biodegradability?
Biodegradability is the capacity of a material to be broken down by biological processes. It does not define the timeframe, the conditions required, or whether the material fully reintegrates into natural systems. Temperature, moisture, and the presence of microorganisms all affect whether and how quickly breakdown occurs. Biodegradability alone is not sufficient to determine whether a material is safe or suitable after use.
Biodegradability is the capacity of a material to be broken down by biological processes. It does not define the timeframe, the conditions required, or whether the material fully reintegrates into natural systems. Temperature, moisture, and the presence of microorganisms all affect whether and how quickly breakdown occurs. Biodegradability alone is not sufficient to determine whether a material is safe or suitable after use.
What does the Solinatra Trust Mark represent?
The Solinatra Trust Mark indicates that a material or product is made of Solinatra’s natural engineered material. It signals system participation based on defined criteria and ongoing compliance. It is not a marketing badge and does not imply endorsement.
The Solinatra Trust Mark indicates that a material or product is made of Solinatra’s natural engineered material. It signals system participation based on defined criteria and ongoing compliance. It is not a marketing badge and does not imply endorsement.
What is biodegradable material?
Biodegradable material is a material that can be broken down by biological processes under specific conditions. Within the Solinatra framework, biodegradability is only one aspect of evaluation; it must be considered alongside the material's overall real-world behavior and safe reintegration into natural systems.
Biodegradable material is a material that can be broken down by biological processes under specific conditions. Within the Solinatra framework, biodegradability is only one aspect of evaluation; it must be considered alongside the material's overall real-world behavior and safe reintegration into natural systems.
Is it safe for food contact?
Food contact safety is assessed against applicable regulatory standards, which vary by region. Solinatra offers specific grades of natural engineered materials developed for food contact applications including packaging and food service items. Our materials can be customized to meet the specific food-safety and regulatory mandates of each region where they are used.