Quick Answer
Biodegradable and compostable additives are functional compounds that converters can blend into a base resin to make the finished plastic product break down safely in an industrial composting facility. In India, any manufacturer or seller of such additives must hold a valid CPCB certificate, and the finished product must meet the IS/ISO 17088 standard for compostability.
UKHI is an engineered biopolymer manufacturer headquartered in IMT Faridabad, Haryana. We manufacture our compostable resin and bio-additives in-house under the EcoGran brand. Our additives are drop-in compatible with existing PE, PP, PLA and PBAT production lines. We offer custom functional formulations for applications ranging from carry bags and agricultural mulch films to food-contact trays and retail packaging.
What to Look for in a Biodegradable and Compostable Additives Supplier in India
Procurement teams that source biodegradable and compostable additives in India need to check a few things before they place an order with any supplier.
CPCB certificate
Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, any company that manufactures or sells compostable plastics in India must hold a valid Central Pollution Control Board certificate.
Lab reports from a recognised facility
IS/ISO 17088 is the relevant Indian standard for compostability, and a manufacturer can prove compliance by getting the product tested at CIPET or a NABL-accredited laboratory.
Drop-in compatibility with existing machinery
A reliable compostable masterbatch supplier in India should offer additives that blend into conventional PE, PP, PLA and PBAT production lines without requiring converters to buy new extruders, dies or moulds.
In-house R&D and custom formulation
Converters who manufacture mulch films need UV-stabilised additives. Converters who make retail packaging films need anti-static performance. A supplier with in-house research capability can adjust the formulation to match these specific requirements.
State-level registration
Manufacturers of biodegradable and compostable additives must also hold a valid factory registration from their respective State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee.
What Specifications Matter When Buying Biodegradable and Compostable Additives
The IS/ISO 17088 standard sets four requirements that any biodegradable and compostable additive must help the finished product meet.
Biodegradation. At least 90% of the organic carbon in the finished compostable product must convert to carbon dioxide within 180 days under controlled composting conditions.
Disintegration. No more than 10% of the original dry mass of the finished product should remain on a 2.0 mm sieve after 84 days in a composting test.
Ecotoxicity. The compost produced from the biodegraded material must support seedling germination and plant biomass at a rate of at least 90% compared to blank control compost. This means the residue is safe for soil.
Heavy metals. Concentrations of regulated heavy metals in the additive or finished product must stay below 50% of the limits prescribed for fertilisers and sludges in India.
Beyond the IS/ISO 17088 requirements, converters buying biodegradable additives for plastics should also evaluate processing performance.
- The additive must disperse evenly across the polymer matrix without creating weak zones.
- It must remain thermally stable during extrusion and moulding.
- It should support thin-gauge film production without tearing.
- And it should deliver reliable heat-seal strength for flexible packaging formats like bags and pouches.
Starch-based biodegradable additives are naturally sensitive to moisture, which can weaken the finished product during storage. Buyers should check whether the formulation uses water-resistant biopolymers to address this.
Types of Biodegradable Additives and Masterbatch Used in India
Biodegradable and compostable masterbatch products sold in India are manufactured using a few core materials.
Starch-based additives — Made from corn, wheat, potato or cassava starch. Starch is renewable and cost-effective. It increases the biodegradability of the finished product. Its limitation is moisture sensitivity, which has to be managed through careful formulation.
PLA-based additives — These additives use polylactic acid derived from fermented cornstarch or sugarcane as the carrier resin. PLA offers good clarity and stiffness. PLA-based biodegradable additives are designed for industrial composting conditions and do not break down in home compost or open soil.
PBAT-based additives — These use polybutylene adipate terephthalate which is a fully biodegradable polymer with high flexibility and elasticity. PBAT is critical for compostable films, wraps and agricultural mulch. Although PBAT can be petroleum-derived, the finished product is still fully compostable under IS/ISO 17088 conditions.
Functional masterbatch grades — These are used to add specific properties such as UV stabilisation on top of the base compostable formulation.
How Much Do Biodegradable and Compostable Additives Cost in India
Price of compostable additives in India depends on the material type, purity, functional grade and order volume.
| Type of biodegradable additive or masterbatch | Indicative price range per kg |
| General-grade biodegradable masterbatch | ₹185 to ₹400 |
| Specialised PBAT/PLA biodegradable masterbatch | ₹400 to ₹650 |
| EcoGran bio-additives (UKHI) | approximately ₹225 |
Note: Biodegradable and compostable additives cost more per kilogram than conventional plastic additives. But the finished product can be manufactured at a much thinner gauge. For example, conventional plastic bags in India are required by law to be at least 120 microns in thickness. On the other hand, certified compostable films in India are exempt from the 120-micron minimum thickness rule. This means more bags (of a lower thickness) can be produced per kilogram of compostable material. This can bring the per-piece cost down significantly.
Why Buy Biodegradable and Compostable Additives from UKHI
UKHI manufactures EcoGran biodegradable and compostable additives in-house at our facility in IMT Faridabad, Haryana.
Our EcoGran bio-additives are drop-in compatible with conventional PE, PP, PLA and PBAT production lines.
We offer custom functional formulations. Converters who manufacture agricultural mulch films can request UV-stabilised grades. Converters who produce retail packaging can request anti-static grades. Converters in food packaging can request antimicrobial grades.
Our existing customers include Reliance Retail, Amazon, Aditya Birla Group, Good Earth, V-Mart and Dohful.
We work with both brand buyers who purchase finished products and converter partners who purchase EcoGran resin to manufacture compostable products on their own lines.
Procurement teams who want to evaluate EcoGran biodegradable and compostable additives on their own production line can request a free sample, which we ship within seven days at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between biodegradable additives and compostable additives?
Biodegradable additives help a plastic product break down through microbial action over time, but there is no fixed timeline or standard for how long this takes. Compostable additives meet a specific standard, IS/ISO 17088, which requires the finished product to biodegrade by 90% within 180 days and disintegrate within 84 days under industrial composting conditions.
What certifications should a biodegradable and compostable masterbatch manufacturer hold?
At minimum, a CPCB certificate and IS/ISO 17088 test reports from CIPET or a NABL-accredited lab. Manufacturers should also hold SPCB or PCC registration at the state level. For food-contact applications, FSSAI certification is required.
How much do biodegradable and compostable additives cost per kg in India?
General-grade biodegradable masterbatch is priced between ₹185 and ₹400 per kg. Specialised PBAT/PLA grades range from ₹400 to ₹650 per kg. UKHI’s EcoGran bio-additives are priced at approximately ₹225 per kg.
Can biodegradable and compostable additives run on existing plastic machinery?
Yes, if the additive is formulated for drop-in compatibility. EcoGran additives are designed to blend into conventional PE, PP, PLA and PBAT production lines without requiring new machinery.
What is EcoGran?
EcoGran is UKHI’s brand of compostable biopolymer resin and bio-additives, manufactured in-house at our facility in IMT Faridabad, Haryana.
