the science
durability in life — responsibility at the fragment stage
durability in life — responsibility at the fragment stage
Our scientific focus
01.
At TOTO-TOA®, our materials are engineered to remain strong, stable, and reliable throughout their intended use.
02.
We support the circular economy by designing durable materials that allow whole products to be collected, reused, and managed through established systems.
03.
Because small fragments are harder to recover and may persist as microplastics, our research focuses on post-fragment behaviour under defined conditions.
why we study fragments
why we study fragments
plastics rarely persist in the environment as whole products —
plastics rarely persist in the environment as whole products —
MICROPLASTICS
DO
Fragments are created through
Wear and abrasion.
Mechanical damage.
Surface erosion.
Shredding and grinding during waste processing.
These small, mobile particles are the primary driver of long-term environmental persistence.
Our goal is pragmatic
durable materials in use, and better design considerations for fragments if leakage occurs.
how biodegradation is evaluated
how biodegradation is evaluated
TOTO-TOA® does not claim that whole products biodegrade.
Environmental outcomes depend on product design, thickness, fragment size, and exposure conditions.
Instead, we evaluate defined material fragments under controlled, simulated environments using recognised laboratory test methods selected based on application and disposal pathway, including:
ASTM D5511 / ISO 15985 – anaerobic simulation
ISO 14855 / ASTM D5338 – aerobic simulation
ISO 17556 – soil simulation
This approach allows repeatable testing and responsible interpretation.
HOW
OUR
SCIENCE
WORKS
Microbial biodegradation
Our research focuses on what happens after materials are reduced to small fragments, not on the whole product.
step 1 — microbial colonisation
In controlled test systems, naturally occurring microorganisms attach to the surface of defined material fragments, form biofilms, and release enzymes that interact with exposed polymer chains.
step 2 — enzymatic breakdown & conversion
Once exposed, enzymes will cleave the polymer chains into smaller units.
These units can then be metabolised by microorganisms and converted into:
Microbial biomass
Water
Carbon dioxide (aerobic conditions)
Methane (anaerobic conditions)
These processes follow established microbial metabolic pathways and are part of the natural carbon cycle.
behaviour in different environments
behaviour in different environments
In oxygen-rich systems such as aerated soils or compost simulations, aerobic microorganisms may convert fragment carbon into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
Evaluation is performed using respirometry-based methods such as ISO 14855 / ASTM D5338.
In oxygen-limited systems such as managed landfill simulations, anaerobic microorganisms may convert fragment carbon into methane, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
Evaluation is performed using ASTM D5511 / ISO 15985.
Soil contains diverse microbial communities. Controlled soil tests allow us to study changes in fragment mass, surface chemistry, and evidence of biological mineralisation over time, using ISO 17556.
Marine and aquatic testing is ongoing.
Results will be published once validated.
What We Test — and What We Don’t Claim
To remain accurate and transparent:
We do not claim whole-product biodegradation.
We do not claim biodegradation in uncontrolled natural environments.
We do not use oxo-degradable additives or metal salts.
We rigorously test the biodegradability of all our materials and evaluate the material fragments under controlled laboratory conditions using recognised standards.
Why This Matters
This science-first approach allows us to:
Preserve durability and recyclability during use.
Avoid premature material weakening.
Generate evidence that can be independently reviewed.
Make responsible, qualified environmental claims.
It also aligns with increasing regulatory focus on microplastic persistence, rather than broad or unqualified biodegradability claims.
Our materials are designed to perform in real life.
If fragments are generated, we study how they behave under defined conditions — using science, not assumptions.
that’s how we build materials
made for life — not forever.
that’s how we build materials made for life — not forever.