Abstract

A 100% biodegradable diaper will be developed during the proposed project.

The problem is the 4,5 million ton of diaper waste, in volume 11,25 Mm³, that is produced in the EU on an annual basis. The proposed product will reduce the environmental hazard that is caused by this waste as well as providing a financial benefit since use of the proposed new type of 100 % biodegradable diaper could result in a saving of up to 200 MEuro. The diaper will be produced from base materials of agricultural origin, all being 100 % biodegradable and having a short CO₂ cycle. Adaptations, both on materials and on machinery (that is designed for producing conventional diapers) will have to be made, in order to process the materials and make the product appropriate to the market. At the same time new materials of agricultural origin will have to be developed and evaluated. Suppliers and processors of raw materials, as well of producers of semi-finished materials and components for diaper are spread throughout Europe. In this project SME's and RTD's from 3 European countries have been identified and participate directly, enabling development of this product to be done in a European context. An important issue to be considered is European normalisation and validation of waste streams. The new diaper should be able to be composted and/or fermented, thus saving environmental pollution and burning costs.

At the time the project was proposed the regulation relating to waste disposal differed between Member States. To create harmony in this respect throughout Europe is one of the aims of the project, while waste treatment and validation of the resulting compost is the main technical objective.

It is expected that there will be a saleable product describned by the time the project finishes. The participating SME's and their associates will have a market for the newly developed products as suppliers and producers. The 100% biodegradable diaper is expected to be a break-through product, encouraging the development of other fully biodegradable consumer products.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Walter VEREYCKEN / Fardem Belgium NV BELGIUM

Participant

• Jürgen KAST / Arens GmbH GERMANY
• Hans JONKER / Culotte VOF NETHERLANDS
• Herman van den DOOL / De Leeuwenakker V.O.F. NETHERLANDS
• Hans J. LAIMBÖCK / Hycail B.V. NETHERLANDS
• Bruno DE WILDE / Organic Waste Systems BELGIUM
• Albert A.J. PENNINGS / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Lab. voor Polymeerchemie Afdeling Scheikunde / NETHERLANDS