VEOCEL™ - Putting it to the test

Pupils taking the subject „Science Laboratory“ wanted to know in March 2020 whether the product from Lenzing AG fulfils what it promises: within only a few weeks, so the manufacturer claims, the fibers are biodegraded in soil. Nature does its bit and reclaims its cellulose. Accompanied by their teachers, Andrea Staudinger and Philine Hartl, and with the vital support of the headmistress,  abriela Yaldez and Lenzing AG, a rock solid series of tests were carried out in the school garden. Various fibers and wet wipes were buried there in a wide-mesh and thus permeable bag in flower pots and numbered. Of course the experiment was carried out with adherence to all of the Federal Government’s safety measures to contain the Corona virus.

Before our young researchers were able to carry out a first check, the first lockdown entered into force and Home-Schooling started. There was therefore no possibility to keep an eye on the experiment. Both the pupils themselves and Lenzing and the ZDF were riveted by the theme, and thus a new attempt was launched on 23 October. A host of new wipes landed in the flower pots. On 5 October, i.e. after not only 2 weeks, the check was started. Earlier than planned since there was some urgency in the light of the new COVID measures. A camera team was in on the act, the two teachers and Michaela Kogler, head of the product development laboratory at Lenzing, who was happy to answer questions pertaining to the scientific background.

What we saw after digging up the samples exceeded our wildest expectations. Almost everyone had assumed that one would see only the first signs of decay in the VEOCEL™ fibers and the wet wipes made from these, since after all only 13 days had passed. However, that was completely wrong. When the mesh bags were carefully removed from the soil and examined more closely in the test room of the chemistry lab, a clearer picture emerged: while the fossil-based plastic fibers and wipes still looked almost the same as at the time of their immersion in the soil, the VEOCEL™ wipes could barely be grasped using tweezers. One part of the fabric had completely disappeared, the remaining small parts disintegrated into their component parts as soon as they entered into contact with the metallic grippers.

Even if you could still see individual parts of the VEOCEL™ wipes, it could be clearly seen that even their days were numbered. The experiment was more than successful. Lenzing’s product promise was confirmed. And everyone concerned was equally enthusiastic.

On 13 February 2021, the result of the experiment was broadcasted by the ZDF in a program called „plan b“. A name which could not have been more appropriate. After all Lenzing has a plan B at the ready, an alternative to the widely spread and harmful plastic fibers which can be used without any qualms.

You will find the TV program on ZDF here if you are interested  (as of minute 21:30) – We hope you will enjoy watching it!