The biodegradable film used for Terra Bag^® is partly made from corn. Joined together with sack kraft paper, also made from renewable resources and biodegradable, these components ideally complement the sustainable industrial packaging solution: Terra Bag^® . The entire bag can be composted within 12 weeks in an industrial composting facility after usage. During this process the bag is broken down by micro-organisms finally resulting in humus, suitable for agriculture or gardening.

In line with the European Directive for Waste Management, which favours recycling, reusage and composting, Terra Bag^® is transformed into valuable humus through the industrial composting process, and used again for enriching soil. In order to fully benefit from this cycle Terra Bag^® needs to be integrated into the waste management system for biodegradable waste already in place in many countries. Should a system need to be set up at a construction site, the setup cost of such a system is estimated at only half of the disposal cost without such waste separation (Source: FFB and ADEME). Terra Bag is easily recognisable as compostable as it is clearly labeled for this purpose.

The use of renewable raw materials in the production of paper and bioplastics helps slow down the depletion of non-renewable resources and reduces waste production and environmental pollution. Life-cycle analyses of bioplastics show that CO2 emissions can be up to 20% lower than those for commodity polymers (Source: europeanbioplastics.org), when properly disposed of in industrial composting facilities.

Because of its reduced environmental impact Terra Bag^® perfectly fits the Sustainable Development commitment of our customers.

Compared with pure paper bags Terra Bag^® with a biodegradable film provides enhanced product protection; the film presenting a moisture protection which improves the shelf-life of the filling good. The barrier function is however lower than for a HDPE film.

Terra Bag^® has been optimised thanks to various tests carried out by our application engineers at the Bag Application Centre (BAC) and directly at customers’ sites. The bag solution presents no constraints in filling speed. Therefore, fillers do not need to settle for a compromise but can enjoy their usual production speed while reducing the environmental impact of their product packaging.

Terra Bag^® was developed in close collaboration with Ciments Calcia (Italcementi Group), Barbier and Limagrain. The composting tests were carried out by the independent organisation Organic Waste Systems (OWS).

Products featuring the OK compost label are guaranteed as biodegradable in an industrial composting plant. This applies to all components, inks and additives. The reference point for the certification programme is the harmonised EN 13432 standard. Any product featuring the OK compost logo therefore complies with the requirements of the EU Packaging Directive.

EN 13432

Confirmed compostability and biodegradability

Terra Bag^® is certified according to EN 13432, a harmonised European standard that defines the “Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation”.

This norm requires compliance of several aspects:

• Biodegradability: Tested in a controlled environment (humidity, oxygen, temperature, CO₂ production), at least 90% of the organic material must be converted into CO₂ within 6 months. Non-biodegradable components must not exceed 1% each and 5% in total (ink, glue).
• Disintegration: After 12 weeks composting and subsequent sifting through a 2 mm sieve, no more than 10% residue of the original mass may remain.
• Compostability: Practical test of compostability in an industrial composting facility. No negative influence on the composting process is permitted.
• Ecotoxicity: Compost application: Examination of the effect of resultant compost on plant growth (agronomic test), ecotoxicity test.

Several labels issued by independent organisations certify the compliance with EN 13432, i.e. the biodegradability of products in industrial composting facilities and guarantee the safety of the final compost. Mondi was granted the "OK Compost" by AIB Vinçotte, Belgium, and the "Seedling" of Din Certco, Germany (EN13432) "Compostable".

Green Range

Terra Bag^® is part of the Green Range® - Mondi’s unique family of paper and packaging products optimised to save natural resources and reduce waste.