Biodegradation is a natural chemical process in which materials are being transformed into natural substances such as water, carbon and biomass with the help of microorganisms. The process of biodegradation depends on the environmental conditions as well as on the materials or application itself. Consequently, the process and its outcome can vary considerably.

Biodegradability is linked to the structure of the polymer chain and does not depend on the origin of the raw materials.

Claims about biodegradability should always feature additional specifications about the timeframe and environment the material can biodegrade in as well as certificates or test results in order to avoid vague or misleading claims. There is currently no overarching standard to back up claims about biodegradability. (2023)