Verify and Advance Your Materials
with Biodegradability Testing Experts
| Standard and customized tests |
| 30+ years of experience |
Biodegradability testing designed around your goals
Whether you’re developing new materials or validating biodegradability claims, our experts provide clear, reliable data to support you in confident R&D and sustainability decisions.
What we test
✔ Chemicals, formulations, and polymeric materials such as (bio)polymers, (bio)plastics, cosmetics ingredients, seed coatings, fertiliser coatings
✔ Materials used in packaging and manufacturing, including various resins, papers, barrier coatings, adhesives, printing inks
✔ Household and consumer products, such as detergents, hygiene and care products (incl. Absorbent Hygiene Products), textiles
Standard Tests
Ideal for packaging producers, brand owners, and sustainability managers who need independent verification of biodegradability claims or regular compliance checks. Get reliable, recognised results that help you substantiate claims and build trust with customers, partners, and certification bodies.
ASTM D5988-18
Determine how quickly and to what extent your plastic material biodegrades in natural soil conditions. This quantitative test measures CO₂ evolved over time and provides a clear assessment of biodegradation in soil. It is equivalent to ISO 17556.
OECD 301F
Screen your material to see whether it is readily biodegradable in water under aerobic conditions. This test offers a quick, standardized way to evaluate if a substance can be rapidly broken down by microorganisms.
Interested in a standard test?
Customized tests
Competitive advantage for materials innovators.
When you’re developing new materials, standard biodegradability tests don’t always tell the full story. Our flexible, customised tests let you dig deeper and faster. We continuously monitor your samples and adapt the test conditions. In this way, you can explore how and why a material behaves as it does, and what could be adjusted to reach your target properties.
With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in non-standard biodegradability testing, our experts collaborate closely with your R&D team to design experiments that answer your specific questions. As our clients say, out-of-the-box thinking and flexibility are what set Avecom apart in biodegradability testing.
Avecom excels in the hyper-customized biodegradability tests.
Stefaan de Wildeman
Founder and Director, B4Plastics
Avecom is easy to work with – they’re available on short notice, and flexible.
And I trust them.
Stefaan Vlaminckx
Process Manager, Lanxess Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kallo
Flexibility, speed, and openness to communicate – that is what characterizes Avecom.
Friso Okken
Commercial Director Water Treatment for Brenntag in Benelux and France
What happens next →
Discovery Call
Define sample type and environment (soil, water), outline your project goals.
Quote
Clear scope, turnaround, price.
Test start
Immediately after we receive your samples.
Intermediate updates
Regular calls with our team, agile actions if data suggest a smarter path.
Report & interpretation
Read-out call with your team, guidelines on the next steps for R&D or certification.
✔ Need independent verification of biodegradability claims?
✔ Are you developing new materials and need out-of-the-box biodegradability tests?
✔ Looking for experts who think along with your R&D team?
✔ Your tests are urgent?
FAQs
How fast can you start the testing?
Immediately after we receive your samples. We will also notify you as soon as the tests begin.
What is the price of your tests?
Standard biodegradability tests start from 2.900 EUR.
For customised testing, we provide tailored pricing based on your material and goals.
Get in touch with us, and we’ll prepare a detailed quote.
What if the data point to a better path partway through the test?
We keep a close eye on the data as the test progresses. If we see that an alternative approach will get you a more efficient or reliable result, we can adjust. It’s all about keeping the process smart and efficient for you.
What will I find in an OECD 301F biodegradability test report (aerobic degradation in water)?
In the OECD 301F test report, you’ll find information about:
Test substance
- its physical form
- physicochemical properties (if relevant)
Test conditions
- type, origin, and concentration of the inoculum
- test temperature and duration
- preparation method for poorly soluble materials
- specific test method used (including justification for any deviations)
Results
- tabulated data
- graphs showing degradation % vs time – for the test sample and reference substances
- observations on potential inhibition and abiotic degradation
Interpretation
A concise discussion of the findings and what they mean for the biodegradability of your material.
What is included in an ASTM D5988-18 biodegradability test report (aerobic degradation of plastics in soil)?
In the ASTM D5988-18 test report, you’ll find information about:
Test material (plastics)
- carbon content or theoretical oxygen demand
- its physical form or particle size (if applicable)
Test conditions
- soil characteristics
- soil handling details
- test temperature range
- initial and final soil pH
Results
- cumulative average CO₂ evolution over time, including key graphical representation showing lag-phase and slope (rate)
- theoretical aerobic biodegradation % for the test material vs. positive reference
Interpretation
A concise discussion of the biodegradation behaviour of your material in soil.
How do you ensure data confidentiality?
We treat all your data with strict confidentiality and follow robust procedures to keep your information secure. Only authorised team members can access your project information. Your results stay fully protected at every stage.
What sample amount do you need?
That depends on the test and on what your sample is made of. Because all testing is done at a lab scale, we typically need small amounts. We will confirm the exact quantity when we discuss your setup.
Have a different question?
