07. Aug 2025
Colour meets responsibility
Biodegradable plastics play a key role in sustainable product development – especially where mechanical recycling is technically difficult or economically unfeasible.
With its BIOCOLEN® product range, GRAFE (Blankenhain, Germany) offers a tailor-made solution for precisely these areas of application: individually coloured, biodegradable plastics that are not only compostable but also meet high aesthetic and functional requirements.
Unlike traditional polymer types, which are increasingly required by law to be recycled, the masterbatches and compounds in the Biocolen range are inherently designed to be degradable, offering a forward-looking option for products with a limited service life. Examples range from packaging and disposable products to hygiene articles. Biocolen combines ecological responsibility with technical feasibility and design freedom.
Certified sustainability – with expert support
A key unique selling point of Grafe is the comprehensive support it offers its customers – not only in material selection and colouring, but also in the complex certification process. The company provides targeted support for the development of compostable plastic products right through to the award of renowned quality seals for end products, including ‘OK compost HOME’, ‘OK compost INDUSTRIAL’ and ‘OK biodegradable’ from TÜV Austria. These internationally recognised labels stand for proven environmentally friendly disposal – whether in domestic compost or under industrial conditions. Although GRAFE does not carry out the actual certification itself, it has been working closely with the responsible testing agency for many years. This proven partnership and direct exchange enable a particularly efficient and smooth process.
Right from the development phase, Grafe ensures that all ingredients used in the manufacture of its Biocolen masterbatches and compounds meet the requirements of the respective certification, both in terms of selection and dosage. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that the colourants do not adversely affect the testing of the end product. Particular emphasis is placed on selecting suitable pigments, especially with regard to compliance with the strict heavy metal limits specified in DIN EN 13432. Before delivery, comprehensive tests are carried out in the company’s own analytical laboratory in order to identify potential problems at an early stage and avoid unnecessary iteration steps – which also saves time and money.
Grafe offers PHBV and PLA, among other things, as carrier materials. Alternatively, customers can provide their own polymers to test their suitability as carriers and thus ensure the highest possible material purity in the end product.
Functionality meets design – even with biodegradable materials
Contrary to the widespread misconception that biodegradable plastics are visually or technically limited, Grafe proves the opposite with Biocolen. The company’s colour experts apply a wide range of colours, including soft pastel shades and signal colours, to biodegradable substrates. Thanks to innovative formulations, optical effects can also be achieved without compromising compostability. This design freedom opens up new possibilities for differentiated brand identities in the sustainability segment.
Additives for application-specific requirements
In addition to colour design, Grafe also offers a targeted selection of additives for Biocolen products, always taking into account biodegradability and the desired certification. This significantly expands the range of applications and makes Biocolen a versatile masterbatch solution for a wide variety of industries.
Biobased but not biodegradable: the TEKOLEN® range as a logical addition
In addition to classic petrochemical polymers, the Grafe Tekolen product range also includes biobased plastics that are not biodegradable. This alternative can be used for durable products that are deliberately not compostable but are made from sustainably produced polymers. Here too, GRAFE naturally offers comprehensive options for colouring and functional additives – tailored to the respective target application and process control.
Conclusion: Sustainable plastic solutions with a system
Biocolen and Tekolen address the key challenges of sustainable plastics processing. Thanks to its in-depth expertise, broad understanding of materials and strong commitment to service, Grafe supports its customers from the initial idea to the market-ready solution. The aim is to always combine innovation, environmental protection, and design at the highest level. AT
www.grafe.com