Biodegradable film and paper mulch for farms

Eco-Engineering 2026: The End of the Era of Microplastics — Biodegradable Mulch in Organic Agriculture

Retaining moisture and blocking weeds in the root zone are fundamental tasks for any farmer. For decades, the solution was plastic film. However, the price for this was millions of tons of plastic waste and catastrophic contamination of fields with microplastics.

In 2026, the trend of End-of-Life bioplastics and kraft paper solutions became the new standard of environmental safety, proving that plant protection can be completely waste-free.

New material architecture: From starch to humus

Modern eco-friendly mulch is being developed based on renewable renewable resources. Leading global chemical and packaging giants such as Novamont (with the Mater-Bi materials brand) and Mondi Group have created composites of thermoplastic starch, corn lipids and special biopolymers (e.g. PBAT).

Key features of the technology:

1. Full functionality of polyethylene: The film maintains elasticity, does not tear during laying by a tractor, effectively blocks sunlight for weeds and reduces moisture evaporation from the soil by 60–70%.
2. Controlled degradation: The material is programmed to work for 4–8 months (depending on the culture).
3. Zero disposal: After harvesting, the film does not need to be removed. The tractor simply wraps it in the ground during autumn plowing, where, under the action of bacteria and fungi, it is completely converted into water, carbon dioxide and biomass (humus) in a few weeks.

Real cases and agronomic figures

The transition to starch and paper mulch is accompanied by clear economic arguments:

• Labor savings: Organic farms completely eliminate the cost of dismantling, cleaning, and logistics of used plastic. This saves up to $150–250 per hectare compared to conventional polyethylene.
• Case study of growing vegetables in arid conditions: According to European agronomic institutes, the use of starch mulch in growing tomatoes provided an increase in net profit by an average of $900 per hectare, and the return on investment (ROI) in the film itself was 70% compared to growing in open ground.
• Soil health: According to publications in the journal Nature Sustainability, abandoning conventional plastic prevents a decline in soil microbial activity (which typically decreases by 15–20% in areas with high microplastic accumulation).