BADP Korea Secures World-First 100% Biodegradable Plastic Technology

Originally reported in Energy Daily — Cho Nam-jun(http://www.energydaily.co.kr)

BADP Korea (CEO Ko Shin-sung) has developed a breakthrough biodegradable plastic technology through industry-academia collaboration with Taiwan University, focusing on achieving full decomposition of plastics over a natural lifecycle exceeding 100 years.

The company has successfully created a technology that enables conventional petroleum-based plastics (PP, PE, PS) to fully biodegrade under normal ambient conditions using a small additive. According to BADP Korea, this process allows complete decomposition without leaving microplastics, which are one of the most persistent environmental pollutants.

BADP stands for Bacteria-Accelerated Degradable Plastic, meaning plastics whose decomposition process is accelerated by microbial activity. The technology applies microbial enzymes and derivatives that break down plastic materials after initial environmental exposure.

Through long-term research with Taiwan University, BADP Korea identified microorganisms capable of decomposing petroleum-based plastics. These were developed into additive forms, which can be blended at ratios between 2% and 40% depending on application, allowing control over decomposition speed ranging from several months to several years.

The company also claims that its materials eliminate microplastic residues and enable complete decomposition at temperatures above 8°C under normal environmental conditions.

International Certification Results

BADP Korea has completed multiple international certification tests, including TÜV, SGS, BSI, and CMA. The company has already obtained CMA certification and is currently pursuing additional certifications in the United Kingdom and European Union for global market expansion.

In particular, the British Standards Institution (BSI) evaluated BADP materials under PAS 9017-2020 standards for real-world soil exposure. The materials achieved full decomposition within 323 days under ambient outdoor conditions.

In China, CMA testing conducted over 150 days showed a 99.5% biodegradation rate.

At Imperial College London, containers containing 20% BADP material demonstrated full decomposition in soil within 323 days, and certification review is currently in progress at UK quality certification authorities.

Key Technology Advantages

BADP Korea summarizes its biodegradable plastic technology with the following advantages:

• Fully decomposable under landfill and natural exposure conditions

• Lifecycle management capability for plastics

• Enzyme-based breakdown of microplastics

• Controlled degradation initiation after weathering

• Recyclable before degradation (multi-use potential)

• Soil-friendly decomposition producing mildly alkaline byproducts

• Cost-effective production compared to existing alternatives

• Adjustable decomposition period (6 months to 3 years)

The company emphasizes that its materials are compatible with existing plastic manufacturing systems without requiring major infrastructure changes.

Application Areas

BADP technology can be applied across a wide range of products, including:

• Single-use containers

• Plastic bags and packaging films

• Agricultural mulch films

• Protective clothing and masks

• Food packaging

• Disposable and durable consumer goods

• Cosmetics containers

• Styrofoam and industrial materials

The company states that its materials can also support recycling systems while enabling environmental degradation in compost or landfill environments.

Future Vision and Policy Direction

BADP Korea CEO Ko Shin-sung emphasized the need for policy reform in plastic environmental regulations, stating that current certification systems do not fully reflect emerging biodegradable technologies.

He called for improved classification systems for biodegradation levels, including graded evaluation based on decomposition timeframes such as 90 days, 180 days, 1 year, and up to 3 years.

The company also advocates for the adoption of international standards including EN 17033 (soil biodegradation testing), PAS 9017 (real soil conditions), and marine biodegradation evaluation systems.

According to BADP Korea, updating regulatory frameworks will be essential for accelerating the adoption of next-generation biodegradable plastics worldwide.

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