Plastic products are widely used in agriculture, where they can improve the efficiency and productivity of food production. Common applications include mulch films, greenhouse films, irrigation systems, nets, coated fertilisers and other production-related products.
A 2021 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that agricultural value chains used approximately 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products in plant and animal production in 2019. A further 37.3 million tonnes were used in food packaging.
Plastic products can support agricultural production, but they can also become a source of pollution when they are difficult to collect, become damaged during use or are left in the environment. Over time, fragments of conventional plastic may accumulate in agricultural soil.
FAO’s report, Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability: A call for action, examined the use and sustainability of agricultural plastic products. The assessment covered 13 products used across different agricultural value chains and considered potential alternatives and management options.
For certain applications, including mulch films, the report identified biodegradable and biobased alternatives as possible substitutes for conventional, non-biodegradable plastics. These recommendations were application-specific and did not present bioplastics as a suitable replacement for every conventional plastic product.
Read the full FAO report here.
Why are mulch films used?
Mulch films perform several important functions in agriculture. Depending on the crop and local conditions, they can help regulate soil temperature, control weeds and reduce water evaporation. This may extend the growing season and reduce the need for irrigation or certain agricultural inputs.
However, conventional plastic mulch films can tear during use and retrieval. If fragments are not completely removed after the crop cycle, they may remain in the soil and gradually contribute to persistent plastic contamination. Read more about mulch films and persistent microplastics here.
An alternative developed specifically for soil
Soil-biodegradable mulch films have been available in Europe for many years. They are designed to perform their agricultural function during the crop cycle and can then be incorporated into the soil in accordance with the product instructions.
Under suitable soil conditions, microorganisms convert certified soil-biodegradable mulch film into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. Unlike conventional plastic, it is designed to biodegrade without leaving persistent microplastics behind.
EN 17033 specifies requirements and testing methods for biodegradable mulch films intended for use in agriculture and horticulture. It provides a common reference for farmers, manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders. Read more about the EN 17033 standard here.
Biobag BioAgri mulch film
Biobag welcomes FAO’s recognition that biodegradable alternatives can play a role in selected agricultural applications.
Our BioAgri mulch film is developed specifically for agricultural use and is made from Mater-Bi®, a family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics developed by Novamont. BioAgri is certified as biodegradable in soil according to EN 17033 and OK biodegradable SOIL by TÜV AUSTRIA.
The film performs its intended function during the crop cycle and can then be incorporated into the soil according to the product instructions. Under the conditions covered by its certification, it biodegrades without leaving persistent microplastics behind.
Soil-biodegradable mulch film is not the right solution for every plastic application. However, where conventional mulch film is difficult to recover completely, a certified soil-biodegradable alternative can provide farmers with a practical option designed around the product’s actual use and end-of-life environment.
Read more about our BioAgri soil-biodegradable mulch film.
