In modern industry, sustainability and regulatory compliance are major issues for manufacturers, particularly in the plastics and polymers sector. The ISO 16620-2 standard, based on the Carbon 14 method, enables precise measurement of the proportion of biobased carbon in these materials.
In this article, we explore how the ISO 16620-2 standard based on the Carbon 14 method can be used to qualify and quantify the biosourced and petrosourced parts of polymers in general, and plastics in particular. You'll also discover the importance of analysis laboratories like CIRAM, which support manufacturers in applying this standard to ensure the quality control and conformity of their materials.
Understanding ISO 16620-2 and its importance for industry
ISO 16620-2 is an essential standard for manufacturers wishing to measure the biobased carbon content of plastics to guarantee their conformity and sustainability. This standard enables the proportion of renewable carbon to be precisely identified usingradiocarbon analysis.
What is ISO 16620-2?
ISO 16620-2 establishes a protocol for measuring the biobased carbon content of plastics and biopolymers using Carbon-14 analysis. It distinguishes between modern carbon (with 14C, present in biomass) and fossil carbon (without 14C, as in petroleum). This process enables us to quantify the biosourced component with precision.
In addition to voluntary declarations by mass balance and/or life cycle analysis and/or the ISCC method, it is becoming essential to use objective, reliable and rapid measurements to qualify and quantify the biobased content of biopolymers. The percentage of modern carbon (pMC) in relation to total carbon is calculated according to this standard, guaranteeing a reliable measurement respected by certification bodies such as TÜV AUSTRIA and DIN CERTCO. The standard also specifies reference values: 100 pMC since 2019 for 100% biosourced carbon.
Why is this standard crucial for manufacturers?
ISO 16620-2 compliant analyses enable industry professionals to certify the renewable carbon content of their products. This is a crucial step in the certification of bio-based materials, as it validates product compliance with current regulations and environmental certifications.
Since 2020, for example, European legislation has required plastic bags to contain at least 50% biobased carbon, with this threshold rising to 60% by 2025. Carrying out this type of analysis is a key differentiating factor for companies wishing to meet new standards and requirements in the plastics industry.
Application of ISO 16620-2 for the analysis and certification of bioplastics
Application of the ISO 16620-2 standard enables manufacturers to reliably quantify the biosourced content of plastics. This step is essential for obtaining certification and ensuring the conformity of the materials used.
Radiocarbon analysis of plastics: the Carbon-14 method
The Carbon 14 method is used to distinguish fossil carbon from bio-based carbon in polymers. This analysis is based on the measurement of isotopic ratios of 14C, 13C and 12C, and enables the percentage of modern carbon to be calculated.
To comply with ISO 16620-2, radiocarbon measurement must be expressed as a percentage of modern carbon, or pMC. The biobased carbon content can then be expressed as a percentage of total carbon, TC, or as a percentage of total organic carbon, TOC.
ISO 16620-2 also sets a reference value, REF, for 100% biobased carbon content.
According to ISO 16620-2, this REF is or was :
- to 100 pMC from 2019, for 100% biobased carbon content.
- to 102 pMC in 2015, for a 100% biobased carbon content.
- 200 in 1964-1965, for a 100% biobased carbon content.
Consequently, the biobased carbon content of a material is the value of the measured pMC / REF.
ISO 16620-2 also allows for a variation of up to ±2% in biobased carbon content, depending on the AMS (gas pedal coupled to a mass spectrometer) used. Consequently, a measurement of 98 pMC can be considered to correspond to 100% biobased carbon in relation to total carbon.
Certification and quantification of biomass in plastics
ISO 16620-2 is crucial for certifications such as OK Biobased® or DIN CERTCO®, which require radiocarbon analyses to validate the proportion of biopolymers in a product. EN 16620-2 clearly specifies the information to be included in analysis reports. In addition to the pMC measurement, we must indicate :
- χTC the total carbon content of the sample,
- χB biobased carbon content as a fraction of sample mass
From the REF reference value, we can calculate χTCB, which is the biobased carbon content in relation to the total carbon content. It is this value that is decisive.
Using this standard, manufacturers can not only quantify their biomass content, but also ensure the certification of biobased materials at every stage of the industrial process, from R&D to marketing.
The role of laboratories in implementing ISO 16620-2
Specialized laboratories like CIRAM play an essential role in implementing ISO 16620-2, guaranteeing accurate and reliable analyses for industry professionals.
Importance of analytical laboratories in the plastics industry
Biobased product analysis laboratories such as CIRAM play an indispensable role in the implementation of ISO 16620-2. They provide precise services for verifying biobased carbon content at every stage of the industrial process, whether for raw materials, in-process products or finished products. The Carbon 14 method used in these laboratories enables materials to be certified in compliance with the strict requirements of certification bodies and international standards. AMS carbon 14 specialists since 2005, our laboratories not only comply with current international standards, but also deliver accurate, reliable results thanks to innovative solutions and personalized support.
For industry professionals, this means being able to rely on reliable results to validate material conformity, ensure rigorous quality control, and guarantee that their products comply with current standards, notably those required for certification of biobased materials.
Quality control and ISO compliance in the bioplastics industry
Quality control is a priority in the bioplastics industry, where the integration of standards such as ISO 16620-2 is becoming essential to prove product sustainability. Thanks to ISO 16620-2-compliant analyses, manufacturers can control the quality of bioplastics and guarantee that their products meet biomass and biobased carbon content criteria.
Combined with complementary standards such as ASTM D6866 analysis, this approach guarantees compliance with ISO 16620-2, which is essential for the competitiveness of companies in a sector undergoing rapid change towards more responsible materials. Laboratories specializing in the biobased industry, such as CIRAM, enable companies to secure their production chain while meeting regulatory and environmental expectations.
ISO 16620-2 is a key tool for the bio-based plastics industry, guaranteeing the conformity and certification of materials. Thanks to rigorous methods such as Carbon 14 analysis, it enables manufacturers to accurately quantify the renewable carbon content in their products. Specialized laboratories like CIRAM play a crucial role in this process, offering reliable analyses and personalized support. To find out more, contact the CIRAM teams and request your sample study.
