Meaning
Bio-based content certification EN 16640 specifies the radiocarbon method for determining the renewable carbon fraction in polymers, plastic products, and composite materials. Certification protocols apply strictly to carbon atoms originating from biomass sources, separating biogenic inputs from fossil-derived petrochemical constituents. Testing ceases to apply where material decomposition prevents accurate isotope ratio mass spectrometry or liquid scintillation counting.
Standardization bodies developed EN 16640 to establish a verifiable baseline for claims regarding bio-based plastics in commercial supply chains.
Resin Fraction
Quantitative measurement under EN 16640 isolates the exact percentage of modern carbon relative to fossil carbon within a polymer batch. Laboratory technicians burn extracted polymer samples to convert carbon fractions into carbon dioxide gas before measuring isotope ratios. Mass spectrometry distinguishes carbon-14 isotopes originating from living matter from the depleted carbon found in petroleum reserves.
Material datasheets report this calculated percentage to buyers verifying corporate sustainability targets for moulded components.
Thermal Drift
Processing temperatures during injection moulding can degrade fragile biopolymer chains if barrel heaters exceed recommended polymer limits. Thermal history alters the molecular integrity of bio-based resins, causing volatile emissions and polymer cross-linking that shifts final part density. Tooling engineers adjust cycle times and clamping pressures to prevent localized burning and molecular breakdown inside the runner system.
Quality inspectors run routine melt flow index evaluations to detect viscosity anomalies before molten polymer enters the mould cavity.
Economic Cost
Virgin bio-based resins compliant with EN 16640 carry a significant price premium over standard petrochemical grades due to agricultural feedstock processing expenses. Moulders processing certified materials face tight economic margins because regrind usage dilutes the certified bio-based fraction in subsequent production runs. Mixing recycled post-consumer regrind with virgin biopolymer lowers the measured carbon-14 ratio below the threshold stated on the original material specification.
Production planners calculate yield losses carefully to avoid shipping non-compliant molded parts to automotive and packaging clients enforcing strict bio-content quotas.
