D2w

d2w is a commercial additive that, when incorporated into conventional plastics, is designed to speed up their degradation through a process of oxidation. The resulting materials are marketed as “oxo-biodegradable” plastics. The idea is that, once exposed to particular conditions of temperature, light and oxygen, the additive triggers fragmentation that shortens the time the plastic takes to break down.

How does d2w work?

1. Oxidative stage: the additive promotes the breaking of polymer chains in the presence of oxygen, reducing the material's strength.
2. Fragmentation: once the structure is compromised, the plastic breaks into smaller pieces.
3. Biodegradation stage: in theory, microorganisms then finish decomposing the fragments, although the efficiency of this phase depends heavily on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and light.

Claimed advantages

• Shorter persistence: compared with conventional plastics, items with d2w are claimed to fragment faster, so they may occupy landfill space for less time.
• Ease of implementation: the additive can be introduced during manufacturing without radically changing the production process.
• Low extra cost: manufacturing costs generally do not rise significantly.

Criticisms and controversy

Many experts stress that breaking plastic into smaller pieces is not the same as full biodegradation, and these remnants can become microplastics harmful to marine and terrestrial ecosystems. If oxo plastics end up in environments without enough oxygen or heat, such as deep in a landfill, the oxidation process can stall and the material remains largely intact. There is also concern that the “biodegradable” label creates a false sense of security and can interfere with conventional plastic recycling, contributing to littering.

Regulatory status in the EU

Because of these concerns, the European Union prohibits products made from oxo-degradable plastic under the Single-Use Plastics Directive, Directive (EU) 2019/904, with the ban applying since 3 July 2021. EU courts have upheld the prohibition. While manufacturers distinguish “oxo-biodegradable” products such as d2w from “oxo-degradable” plastics, the EU restriction targets this category of additive-driven fragmentation.

d2w: an alternative for plastic degradation?

The use of d2w reflects the search for alternatives to plastic pollution, but it also shows how hard it is to find genuinely effective and sustainable solutions. Approaches based on ecodesign, reduction and reuse are generally preferred to relying on additives. At Manglai we help companies assess materials and measure the environmental footprint of their products. Discover how Manglai can help you.