Ref. Ares(2018)6157887 - 30/11/2018
Day, place
23/11 at EC premises
Company
Rhodia Acetow
Purpose of the discussion
To present technical issues around tobacco filters including biodégradabilité in the framework of
the proposal of a “SUP Directive”
ENV representatives
Sebastien Paquot (CAB) and
(B1)
, R&I and Strategic Development Director, from Rhodia Acetow and
presented some slides.
The firm would have around 20% of the market, outside China. World market for acetose fibres is
around 700kton, mostly for filters.
They claim filters are needed, for health reasons, eg 50% of tar remains in the filter, but also for
taste reasons.
The issue of the filter composition is performance, not the costs (the plastic part of the filter would
cost around 1 ct/cigarette).
Industry can accept EPR, collection of litter, recycling, and the reduction of litter.
They cannot support the EP amendment (EP AM54, 118, 119) on reducing waste from litter as this
is similar to a production/consumption limit.
They claim they have developed a biodegradable product with same performances as “normal”
cellulose acetate and that this is certified.
This includes a certification on the american ASTM D6691, a “Standard Test Method for
Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined
Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum”.
ENV suggested that industry could start we developing an agreed European standard.
ENV asked what is happening with the toxic components that the filter captured if the plastic part
of the filter would be biodegradable. On this industry replied that at least a part of the problem
would be solved.
ENV also stated that biodegradability might not become a license to litter.
Docs shared (to be put in attachment)
None. Industry sent by mail the slides afterwards, on 28/11