Biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Film Used for Liquid Detergent Capsules

Questions and potential misperceptions have arisen about the potential contribution of liquid detergent capsules to the environmental microplastics issue. The film of these detergents is highly water soluble, also in cold water, as it must fully dissolve during every type of washing process. Water-soluble grades of polyvinyl alcohol, the most commonly used detergent capsule film material, are recognised to be biodegradable. In the current paper, adequate biodegradability is confirmed by means of ready biodegradation screening tests, across a range of polyvinyl alcohol detergent grade films. The high water solubility in itself implies that detergent capsule films are not within the microplastic scope. Furthermore, their biodegradability ensures there is no concern for persistence or accumulation in the environment.

Automated summary

Liquid detergent capsules, made with water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film material, have high water solubility and are biodegradable, ensuring no concern for persistence or accumulation in the environment after passing ready biodegradation screening tests.