Oxo-degradable polystyrene foam containers produced

Cascades has launched Bioxo, the first product line of containers made from totally oxo-degradable polystyrene foam.

The containers are specifically designed to degrade within three years, unlike traditional polystyrene foam containers which require several hundred years to degrade. The containers will take up considerably less space in landfill sites.

Bioxo is the result of the addition of TDPA (totally degradable plastic additives), developed by the Canadian firm EPI, of Vancouver.

Mixed with the base resin, the TDPA additive gives the polystyrene foam special degradation properties without compromising the performance of the packaging products.

After use, when the product is discarded in a landfill site, it begins to undergo oxidative degradation much faster than traditional plastic products. Oxygen, together with heat, UV radiation or mechanical stress transforms the polystyrene foam with its TDPA additive into a fine powder, which bacteria and other microorganisms can digest.