glossary

The applications shown here for each material were selected by the material manufacturer. Both established and planned application areas are included.

In this category, the manufacturer points out special features of their material.

The bio-based carbon content indicates how much of the carbon in a product originates from renewable, biological sources. It is determined using the 14C isotope via radionuclide analysis according to DIN EN 16640 (2017-08).

Living plants and other biogenic materials always contain a small, measurable amount of carbon-14 because they constantly absorb it from the atmosphere. Fossil raw materials such as petroleum or natural gas, on the other hand, are millions of years old – their carbon-14 has completely decayed over this time.

Therefore, if carbon-14 is found in a material, this portion originates from biogenic sources. If it is absent, the carbon is fossil. In this way, a reliable distinction can be made between biogenic and fossil carbon, and the bio-based content of a product can be determined.

However, the bio-based content of a product does not provide any information about the environmental impact or sustainability of a material.

The bio-based ingredients listed in this category are present in the finished material at a mass fraction of > 5%. The information regarding the bio-based ingredients and their country(ies) of origin is provided by the manufacturer.

To determine this parameter, each layer of the material is analyzed using IR spectroscopy. If each layer consists of the same components, it is a single-component material. If different components were used in the different layers, it is a multi-component material.

If the individual layers consist of different components, these must be separated before recycling. This is technically challenging, energy-intensive, and often only possible to a limited extent.

Therefore, multi-layered materials made of the same components are generally considered more recyclable than composite materials made of different substances.

Material categories allow materials to be grouped and thus compared more easily. The following categories are used in AboutMaterialZ:

Performance (in %) describes the overall performance of a material in practical use. It is based on various physical tests, including physical-mechanical tests as well as tests for fastness, resistance, and aging. The results are categorized into performance levels from 1 to 5. The sum of these levels yields the performance value, which can reach a maximum of 100%.

High performance values ​​indicate a material's versatility, while lower values ​​point to more specific applications.

For better understanding, performance is compared with the specific requirements of various application areas. The following minimum values ​​apply:

• below 65%: suitable for simple applications (e.g., fabric bags, lightweight bags, decorative fabrics)
• 65% and above: very well suited for clothing and bags
• 80% and above: also suitable for shoes and furniture
• 90% and above: also suitable for automotive applications

This allows you to see at a glance for which applications a material is suitable.

In this category, the manufacturer provides useful information on how to care for the material.

This parameter is currently still under development.

The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) describes the CO₂ emissions of a product from raw material extraction to production. The lower the value, the fewer emissions are generated. The PCF for surface materials is given in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per square meter.

In AboutMaterialZ, a standardized calculation matrix based on DIN EN ISO 14067 has been defined for all materials. This allows the PCFs of the materials included in AboutMaterialZ to be directly comparable. The following process steps are included in the calculation: raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and also disposal or recycling. The emissions of each process step are recorded and added together to form a total.

If products made from this material already exist, they are listed here.

The material's place of production is the country where it is finally manufactured as sheet material. From there, the material is sold for various applications. This information comes from the material manufacturer.

Testing for harmful substances is carried out in accordance with the REACH Regulation and the currently valid SVHC list (Substances of Very High Concern) using standardized testing procedures. The materials are tested for e.g. plasticizers, prohibited dyes, and heavy metals.

We detect animal-derived ingredients in-house by identifying even the smallest traces of animal origin using protein and DNA analysis. This analytical method was developed as part of a research project and provides standardized and reliable measurements (with an accuracy of 95%).

The degree of disintegration is determined under laboratory-scale composting conditions in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20200 (2023-11). Conditions are used that replicate a controlled and monitored aerobic composting process. The compost matrix consists of artificial solid waste mixed (inoculated) with fully composted (mature) compost from a municipal or industrial composting facility. After a composting period of 45 days (screening procedure), the degree of disintegration of the materials tested is calculated.

For comparison, a chestnut has a decomposition rate of approximately 70% under these conditions. This shows why the decomposition rate alone cannot be used as a complete assessment of the end-of-life scenario.

The deposited certificates for a material were provided by the material manufacturer and were not created by AboutMaterialZ.

To categorize the certificates, they have been labeled with letters:

A - Environmental & Sustainability Standards

B - Bioeconomy Standards

C - Material & Product Standards

D - Quality & Process Management Standards