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Beta Analytic Provides ASTM D6866 and CEN/TS 16137 Testing to the Biobased Industry
Fast Facts:
- ASTM D6866 measures biobased content of any material – liquids, solids, and gases
- ASTM D6866 is required by the USDA BioPreferred Program and in other Ecolabel programs
- Beta Analytic is ISO 17025 accredited and "ISO 9001 conformant" in accordance with the USDA's Biopreferred testing requirements
- CEN/TS 16137 is a European technical specification for the determination of the biobased carbon content of plastics and polymers.
ASTM D6866 is the method approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for determining the renewable/biobased content of natural range materials like ethanol additives, biodiesel additives, and other biobased products. The USDA recommends ASTM D6866 certification before a product can be added to its BioPreferred Program Catalogue.
Borrowing on the principles of radiocarbon dating, ASTM D6866 is able to determine the renewable carbon content of almost any type of solid, liquid, or gaseous products. The method provides a percentage determination of fossil carbon content versus renewable or biomass carbon content of a product or fuel blend.
ASTM D6866 is used extensively to certify the biobased content of bioplastics. The method is not used to certify biodegradability. Take note that there is an important difference between biodegradability and biobased content. A bioplastic such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) developed by Braskem can be 100% biobased (i.e .contain 100% renewable carbon) but non-biodegradable.
Biobased Content Determination via ASTM Method D6866
Vendors and manufacturers of biobased products applying for the USDA BioPreferred Procurement or Voluntary Labeling Program need ASTM D6866 certification to confirm the biobased content of their products. Other certification organizations requiring ASTM D6866 test results include EcoLogo (Canada) and Vincotte (Belgium).
ASTM D6866 Testing for Biobased Products
The method is applicable to raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. Examples of biobased products include bioplastics and other biopolymers, biofuels, biochemicals, biosolvents, biolubricants, biosurfactants, bio-adhesives, biocatalysts, biosensors, biocomplexing agents, biofluxing agents, bio-paints, bio-fertilizers, bio-fibers for automotives, and bio-based resins, among others.
CEN/TS 16137 Testing for Plastics
This technical specification for companies in Europe is applicable to monomers, polymers, and plastic materials as well as biocomposites. Similar to the ASTM D6866, CEN/TS 16137 is based on radiocarbon analysis. It specifies three test methods for radiocarbon measurement. The biobased carbon content is expressed as a fraction of sample mass, as a fraction of the total carbon content, or as a fraction of the total organic carbon content.
