The Technological Institute for Toys has started a project called BIOTOY to find biodegradable materials suitable for use in toys.

The Spain-based non-profit has been exploring biodegradable materials that only biodegrade once they are mixed with microorganisms.

The group's first tests analyzed natural starch-based polymers (specifically Novamont's Mater-Bi material), thermoplastic compounds with sawdust and almond shells, biodegradable polyester PHB P226, polyvinyl alcohol, biopolymer compounds with almond shells, and additives that promote the oxodegradation of thermoplastics.

All of the materials were tested through the injection, filling, compaction and cooling processes typical in the toy industry. While all of the materials were found to have different physical properties after going through the steps, none of them encountered any processing problems.

The starch-based materials were fragile, polyvinyl alcohol resulted in flexible items, and the use of almond shells and sawdust created a wood-like appearance.

The Technological Institute for Toys will work with the materials further, identifying which types of toys each is suitable for and improving their properties in order to incorporate them into products.

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