Verification of the content of
"100% vegetable" of objects made from bamboo

Single-use plastic is now banned from our daily lives for strong protection of our environment. Thus cups, cutlery, crockery and disposable objects made of bamboo (in particular) have appeared recently.

Vegetable or synthetic composition?

Structural analysis by Pyrolysis/GCMS will easily detect the presence of a cellulosic matrix essential for the mention "100% vegetable" but will also highlight any other synthetic polymeric matrices added or substituted (Melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyolefins type PE, PP, modified cellulose, polystyrene etc…).

Presence of toxic substances ?

Bamboo is a plant, it is not wood, only its fibers are used to make utensils such as spoons and plates.
To do this, this natural material is ground in the form of fiber or powder, agglomerated and hot-compacted using a thermosetting plastic material, most often a Melamine-Formaldehyde (or MF or Melamine-Formaldehyde) resin. If the latter is of poor quality (…), toxic compounds can be extracted , especially when hot, migrate into the food and damage the kidneys, for example ( Formaldehyde is recognized as a carcinogen).

Do not use bamboo dishes for your drinks and hot dishes, especially no microwave!

The Polymex laboratory can offer you analyzes of extractables in screening, food contact studies or targeting on Formaldehyde.