biodegradability
Ashland is both a source of additives and specialty ingredients as well as an industry resource via our in-house biodegradation capabilities, which enable Ashland to:
- screen products/raw materials to determine those that have better biodegradation profiles using standard methodologies
- investigate structure/performance relationships to tailor biodegradable materials
- analyze the results including seeing what goes on beyond the time period of standard testing
- control and mimic environmental scenarios that may be more applicable to real-life
Ashland began OECD-validated 'screening' assessments three years ago, and since then has tested more than 100 samples, comprising more than half of our final products and R&D formulations in the personal care market and more than 30 for industrial and energy applications. Ashland's commitment to biodegradation testing has led to partnerships with several of our customers, both to share knowledge and to refine each others' understanding of sustainability and environmental impacts. Consequently, we have collaborated with our customers on specific projects to meet their unique needs for development of formulations with enhanced biodegradation profiles, which our internal testing capabilities allow us to determine quickly and efficiently.
*biodegradeability measurements using OECD 301 methods and thresholds
