Table 3. Open in new tab Summary of...

Polymer group

Biodegradability

Summary of biodegradation data

References

Polycarboxylates

Not readily biodegradable

Not readily biodegradable.
Polyacrylic acid biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 7%–20% in 135 days, 12%–58% in 135 days, and 5%–35% in 165 days, respectively.
Polyacrylic acid/maleic acid copolymer biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 12%–21% in 100 days, 11%–41% in 100 days, and 8%–32% in 165 days, respectively. Biodegradation decreases with increasing MW. Data are lacking for some key members of the group (e.g., styrene/acrylates copolymer).

Duis et al., 2021; HERA, 2014a, 2014b

Alcohol ethoxylate salts

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (C = 12–18, EO = 0–8).

HERA, 2004

Alcohol alkoxylates

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (C = 8–18, EO = 0–22).
Further data may be required for high molecular weight (MW) members of the group (e.g., ceteareth-80).

HERA, 2009

Polyol ethoxylate esters

Not determined

Polysorbate 20 (CAS 9005-64-5) = readily biodegradable according to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) dossier. Polysorbates 20, 60, 80, 61, and 65 have been degraded by bacteria isolated from soil and sediment; however, environmentally relevant studies are lacking, and no data are available for most group members (e.g., PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, PEG-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate).

ECHA, 2020; Nguyen, 2018; Nguyen et al., 2021; Yeh & Pavlostathis, 2005

Starch and derivatives

Readily biodegradable

Natural polymers expected to rapidly biodegrade. CAS 68425-17-2 and 738602-93-2 readily biodegradable according to REACH dossiers.

ECHA, 2020

Polyquaterniums

Not readily biodegradable

Previously reviewed data by Duis et al. (2021): polyquaterniums-6, -10, and -16 are not readily biodegradable (< 10% ThOD in 28 days or not specified). Polyquaternium-6 is not inherently biodegradable. Polyquaterniums-7 and -16 may be inherently biodegradable (40%–50% DOC elimination for polyquaternium-16 in 28 days). Reliability of data not assignable due to lack of experimental details. Further data are required for these and other key polymers in the group (e.g., guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride).

Duis et al., 2021

Polyethers and copolymers

Readily or inherently biodegradable

Low MW PEG and PPG (and PEG/PPG copolymers) readily or inherently biodegradable (≤35 kDa, ≤14.6 kDa, or ≤1kDa depending on the study). Higher MW polyethers will biodegrade over longer time periods in ready tests (up to 86% biodegradation (% CO₂) for PEG of 500 kDa in 160 days). Low MW PEG and PPG (<1 kDa) reach 99% biodegradation in river water in ≤17 days. Biodegradation of PEG and PPG in marine water is slow or negligible. More data required for other key group members (e.g., copolymer of PEG/vinyl acetate).

Beran et al., 2013; Bernhard et al., 2008; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023; West et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2006

Cellulose and derivatives

Not readily biodegradable

Microcrystalline cellulose is readily biodegradable (82% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days). However, key modified cellulose polymers (contributing to 70% of the group emissions) are not readily biodegradable. Hydroxyethylcellulose has been previously assigned non-biodegradable (< 5% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test). Carboxymethylcellulose (cellulose gum) is not readily biodegradable (≤ 20% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test for DS = 0.6, 0.79, and 0.8, negligible biodegradation for DS = 1.2 in 60 days).

Bading et al., 2024; Menzies et al., 2023

Polyvinyl alcohol

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (MW 10,000 to 130,000 Da or not specified). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH; MW 9–10,000 Da) biodegrades in river water (71% (% CO₂) in 90 days, 11%–79% ThOD in 180 days, variability due to variability in microbial communities obtained by grab-sampling).
Negligible biodegradation in marine water.

Alonso-López et al., 2021; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023

Silicones

Not biodegradable

Dimethicone has been classed as nonbiodegradable. Mineralization may eventually occur following soil-catalyzed hydrolysis (half-lives previously reviewed by Graiver et al., 2003; ≤28 days) and release of volatile compounds (predicted to oxidize in < 30 days).

Darracq et al., 2010; de Albuquerque Vita et al., 2023; Graiver et al., 2003

Polymer group

Biodegradability

Summary of biodegradation data

References

Polycarboxylates

Not readily biodegradable

Not readily biodegradable.
Polyacrylic acid biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 7%–20% in 135 days, 12%–58% in 135 days, and 5%–35% in 165 days, respectively.
Polyacrylic acid/maleic acid copolymer biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 12%–21% in 100 days, 11%–41% in 100 days, and 8%–32% in 165 days, respectively. Biodegradation decreases with increasing MW. Data are lacking for some key members of the group (e.g., styrene/acrylates copolymer).

Duis et al., 2021; HERA, 2014a, 2014b

Alcohol ethoxylate salts

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (C = 12–18, EO = 0–8).

HERA, 2004

Alcohol alkoxylates

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (C = 8–18, EO = 0–22).
Further data may be required for high molecular weight (MW) members of the group (e.g., ceteareth-80).

HERA, 2009

Polyol ethoxylate esters

Not determined

ECHA, 2020; Nguyen, 2018; Nguyen et al., 2021; Yeh & Pavlostathis, 2005

Starch and derivatives

Readily biodegradable

Natural polymers expected to rapidly biodegrade. CAS 68425-17-2 and 738602-93-2 readily biodegradable according to REACH dossiers.

ECHA, 2020

Polyquaterniums

Not readily biodegradable

Duis et al., 2021

Polyethers and copolymers

Readily or inherently biodegradable

Beran et al., 2013; Bernhard et al., 2008; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023; West et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2006

Cellulose and derivatives

Not readily biodegradable

Bading et al., 2024; Menzies et al., 2023

Polyvinyl alcohol

Readily biodegradable

Readily biodegradable (MW 10,000 to 130,000 Da or not specified). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH; MW 9–10,000 Da) biodegrades in river water (71% (% CO₂) in 90 days, 11%–79% ThOD in 180 days, variability due to variability in microbial communities obtained by grab-sampling).
Negligible biodegradation in marine water.

Alonso-López et al., 2021; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023

Silicones

Not biodegradable

Darracq et al., 2010; de Albuquerque Vita et al., 2023; Graiver et al., 2003

Table 3.

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Summary of biodegradability for each key polymer group.

Polymer group	Biodegradability	Summary of biodegradation data	References
Polycarboxylates	Not readily biodegradable	Not readily biodegradable. Polyacrylic acid biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 7%–20% in 135 days, 12%–58% in 135 days, and 5%–35% in 165 days, respectively. Polyacrylic acid/maleic acid copolymer biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 12%–21% in 100 days, 11%–41% in 100 days, and 8%–32% in 165 days, respectively. Biodegradation decreases with increasing MW. Data are lacking for some key members of the group (e.g., styrene/acrylates copolymer).	Duis et al., 2021; HERA, 2014a, 2014b
Alcohol ethoxylate salts	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (C = 12–18, EO = 0–8).	HERA, 2004
Alcohol alkoxylates	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (C = 8–18, EO = 0–22). Further data may be required for high molecular weight (MW) members of the group (e.g., ceteareth-80).	HERA, 2009
Polyol ethoxylate esters	Not determined	Polysorbate 20 (CAS 9005-64-5) = readily biodegradable according to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) dossier. Polysorbates 20, 60, 80, 61, and 65 have been degraded by bacteria isolated from soil and sediment; however, environmentally relevant studies are lacking, and no data are available for most group members (e.g., PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, PEG-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate).	ECHA, 2020; Nguyen, 2018; Nguyen et al., 2021; Yeh & Pavlostathis, 2005
Starch and derivatives	Readily biodegradable	Natural polymers expected to rapidly biodegrade. CAS 68425-17-2 and 738602-93-2 readily biodegradable according to REACH dossiers.	ECHA, 2020
Polyquaterniums	Not readily biodegradable	Previously reviewed data by Duis et al. (2021): polyquaterniums-6, -10, and -16 are not readily biodegradable (< 10% ThOD in 28 days or not specified). Polyquaternium-6 is not inherently biodegradable. Polyquaterniums-7 and -16 may be inherently biodegradable (40%–50% DOC elimination for polyquaternium-16 in 28 days). Reliability of data not assignable due to lack of experimental details. Further data are required for these and other key polymers in the group (e.g., guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride).	Duis et al., 2021
Polyethers and copolymers	Readily or inherently biodegradable	Low MW PEG and PPG (and PEG/PPG copolymers) readily or inherently biodegradable (≤35 kDa, ≤14.6 kDa, or ≤1kDa depending on the study). Higher MW polyethers will biodegrade over longer time periods in ready tests (up to 86% biodegradation (% CO₂) for PEG of 500 kDa in 160 days). Low MW PEG and PPG (<1 kDa) reach 99% biodegradation in river water in ≤17 days. Biodegradation of PEG and PPG in marine water is slow or negligible. More data required for other key group members (e.g., copolymer of PEG/vinyl acetate).	Beran et al., 2013; Bernhard et al., 2008; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023; West et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2006
Cellulose and derivatives	Not readily biodegradable	Microcrystalline cellulose is readily biodegradable (82% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days). However, key modified cellulose polymers (contributing to 70% of the group emissions) are not readily biodegradable. Hydroxyethylcellulose has been previously assigned non-biodegradable (< 5% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test). Carboxymethylcellulose (cellulose gum) is not readily biodegradable (≤ 20% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test for DS = 0.6, 0.79, and 0.8, negligible biodegradation for DS = 1.2 in 60 days).	Bading et al., 2024; Menzies et al., 2023
Polyvinyl alcohol	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (MW 10,000 to 130,000 Da or not specified). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH; MW 9–10,000 Da) biodegrades in river water (71% (% CO₂) in 90 days, 11%–79% ThOD in 180 days, variability due to variability in microbial communities obtained by grab-sampling). Negligible biodegradation in marine water.	Alonso-López et al., 2021; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023
Silicones	Not biodegradable	Dimethicone has been classed as nonbiodegradable. Mineralization may eventually occur following soil-catalyzed hydrolysis (half-lives previously reviewed by Graiver et al., 2003; ≤28 days) and release of volatile compounds (predicted to oxidize in < 30 days).	Darracq et al., 2010; de Albuquerque Vita et al., 2023; Graiver et al., 2003

Polymer group	Biodegradability	Summary of biodegradation data	References
Polycarboxylates	Not readily biodegradable	Not readily biodegradable. Polyacrylic acid biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 7%–20% in 135 days, 12%–58% in 135 days, and 5%–35% in 165 days, respectively. Polyacrylic acid/maleic acid copolymer biodegradation (% CO₂) in river water, river water and sediment, and soil: 12%–21% in 100 days, 11%–41% in 100 days, and 8%–32% in 165 days, respectively. Biodegradation decreases with increasing MW. Data are lacking for some key members of the group (e.g., styrene/acrylates copolymer).	Duis et al., 2021; HERA, 2014a, 2014b
Alcohol ethoxylate salts	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (C = 12–18, EO = 0–8).	HERA, 2004
Alcohol alkoxylates	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (C = 8–18, EO = 0–22). Further data may be required for high molecular weight (MW) members of the group (e.g., ceteareth-80).	HERA, 2009
Polyol ethoxylate esters	Not determined	Polysorbate 20 (CAS 9005-64-5) = readily biodegradable according to Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) dossier. Polysorbates 20, 60, 80, 61, and 65 have been degraded by bacteria isolated from soil and sediment; however, environmentally relevant studies are lacking, and no data are available for most group members (e.g., PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, PEG-200 hydrogenated glyceryl palmate).	ECHA, 2020; Nguyen, 2018; Nguyen et al., 2021; Yeh & Pavlostathis, 2005
Starch and derivatives	Readily biodegradable	Natural polymers expected to rapidly biodegrade. CAS 68425-17-2 and 738602-93-2 readily biodegradable according to REACH dossiers.	ECHA, 2020
Polyquaterniums	Not readily biodegradable	Previously reviewed data by Duis et al. (2021): polyquaterniums-6, -10, and -16 are not readily biodegradable (< 10% ThOD in 28 days or not specified). Polyquaternium-6 is not inherently biodegradable. Polyquaterniums-7 and -16 may be inherently biodegradable (40%–50% DOC elimination for polyquaternium-16 in 28 days). Reliability of data not assignable due to lack of experimental details. Further data are required for these and other key polymers in the group (e.g., guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride).	Duis et al., 2021
Polyethers and copolymers	Readily or inherently biodegradable	Low MW PEG and PPG (and PEG/PPG copolymers) readily or inherently biodegradable (≤35 kDa, ≤14.6 kDa, or ≤1kDa depending on the study). Higher MW polyethers will biodegrade over longer time periods in ready tests (up to 86% biodegradation (% CO₂) for PEG of 500 kDa in 160 days). Low MW PEG and PPG (<1 kDa) reach 99% biodegradation in river water in ≤17 days. Biodegradation of PEG and PPG in marine water is slow or negligible. More data required for other key group members (e.g., copolymer of PEG/vinyl acetate).	Beran et al., 2013; Bernhard et al., 2008; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023; West et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2007; Zgoła-Grześkowiak et al., 2006
Cellulose and derivatives	Not readily biodegradable	Microcrystalline cellulose is readily biodegradable (82% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days). However, key modified cellulose polymers (contributing to 70% of the group emissions) are not readily biodegradable. Hydroxyethylcellulose has been previously assigned non-biodegradable (< 5% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test). Carboxymethylcellulose (cellulose gum) is not readily biodegradable (≤ 20% biodegradation (% CO₂) in 28 days in ready test for DS = 0.6, 0.79, and 0.8, negligible biodegradation for DS = 1.2 in 60 days).	Bading et al., 2024; Menzies et al., 2023
Polyvinyl alcohol	Readily biodegradable	Readily biodegradable (MW 10,000 to 130,000 Da or not specified). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH; MW 9–10,000 Da) biodegrades in river water (71% (% CO₂) in 90 days, 11%–79% ThOD in 180 days, variability due to variability in microbial communities obtained by grab-sampling). Negligible biodegradation in marine water.	Alonso-López et al., 2021; McDonough et al., 2023; Menzies et al., 2023
Silicones	Not biodegradable	Dimethicone has been classed as nonbiodegradable. Mineralization may eventually occur following soil-catalyzed hydrolysis (half-lives previously reviewed by Graiver et al., 2003; ≤28 days) and release of volatile compounds (predicted to oxidize in < 30 days).	Darracq et al., 2010; de Albuquerque Vita et al., 2023; Graiver et al., 2003

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