An additive that makes plastic bottles completely biodegradable.

Dubai: An additive that makes plastic bottles completely biodegradable was officially launched in Dubai yesterday.

Several UAE-based mineral water companies are believed to be considering investing in the technology, which could reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the country's landfills.

The oxo-biodegradable additive increases the breakdown rate of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic commonly used in the manufacturing process of bottled water. It is similar to the additive currently being used in plastic bags.

John James, export manager of Wells Plastic Limited, the manufacturer of the Reverte technology, said: "The additive has been generally available since last December. But a number of local companies have now shown an interest in the technology."

Sharjah-based bottle manufacturer Empol last week developed a PET preform and bottle cap using the Reverte additive, which was then blown up into a full-sized mineral water bottle by Oasis Water. It is the first time in the UAE that a mineral water bottle has been produced incorporating the oxo-biodegradable additive.

James added: "I am very confident our technology will do well in the UAE. A number of local mineral water companies have already expressed an interest in our product. The authorities have already introduced legislation to deal with the threat posed by plastic bags to the environment and I think the mineral water companies know that plastic bottles is the next issue to be tackled in terms of the wider waste problem.

"Reaction to the additive around the world has been enormous even among global corporations."

What is oxo-biodegradable?

Oxo-biodegradable Plastics (OBP's) are plastic materials, generally traditional polyolefins, that undergo a two-step degradation, initially by an oxidative process that is promoted by the inclusion of catalytic additives and subsequently by biodegradation. Products made from these materials degrade under conditions of sunlight (UV) heat, or mechanical stress to complete the cycle of resource utilisation and return otherwise intractable plastics to their natural origins