Overview
ISO 16620-3:2015 - "Plastics - Biobased content - Part 3: Determination of biobased synthetic polymer content" specifies a calculation method to determine the mass-based biobased synthetic polymer content of plastic products. The standard applies to plastic products, polymer resins, monomers and additives made from biobased or fossil-based constituents. It complements ISO 16620-1 (general principles) and ISO 16620-2 (determination of biobased carbon content).
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and principle
- Defines biobased synthetic polymer content as the percentage by mass of synthetic polymer in a product that is derived from biomass.
- Only synthetic polymers (fully or partly biobased) are eligible for inclusion; natural polymers and biobased additives are excluded from this particular metric.
- Calculation method
- The biobased synthetic polymer content of a product is calculated from the product composition (mass fractions of constituents) and the biobased synthetic polymer content of each constituent.
- Formula (summarized): Product biobased synthetic polymer content (%) = Σ (mass fraction of constituent × constituent biobased synthetic polymer content) / 100.
- Examples in Annex A show straightforward cases (e.g., PLA as 100% biobased polymer) and partly biobased copolymers (e.g., bio‑PET with a 31.25% biobased polymer content).
- Link to biobased carbon
- ISO 16620-2 is used to determine biobased carbon content when needed; Annex B shows converting between biobased carbon and biobased synthetic polymer content.
- Reporting & traceability
- Test reports must reference ISO 16620-3:2015 and include experimentally determined biobased carbon content, elemental composition/formulae of constituents, and the calculation showing the product percentage.
- Safety note
- The standard contains a warning: methods can involve hazardous materials and users must follow appropriate health and safety practices.
Applications and users
- Who uses ISO 16620-3:2015:
- Polymer and plastic manufacturers calculating biobased polymer fractions for product labels or claims.
- Sustainability managers and life-cycle assessment (LCA) practitioners quantifying biobased inputs.
- Certification bodies and regulators evaluating biobased product declarations.
- Product designers and material specifiers selecting biobased materials (e.g., PLA, bio‑PET).
- Practical uses:
- Determining the mass percentage of biobased synthetic polymer for environmental reporting, procurement criteria, green product claims, and compliance with sustainability standards.
Related standards
- ISO 16620-1 - General principles (series overview)
- ISO 16620-2 - Determination of biobased carbon content (analytical method)
- (Under development) Parts 4 and 5 - biobased mass content and declaration requirements
Keywords: ISO 16620-3:2015, biobased synthetic polymer content, biobased content in plastics, biobased carbon, bio‑PET, PLA, calculation method, sustainability reporting.
Open preview (PDF)Plastics — Biobased content — Part 3: Determination of biobased synthetic polymer content
