What happens to the pot after transplanting?

Depending on the application, the biodegradable pots made with INZEA biopolymers can be transplanted together with the plant. The pot then remains in the soil and biodegrades over time, depending on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for collection and preventing plastic waste in the field.

What standards are the biopolymers INZEA® that are used to create plant pots certified to?

The biodegradable plant pot made with INZEA® biopolymers materials are certified to EN 13432 (TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL) or EN 17033 (TÜV Austria OK biodegradable SOIL), depending on the application.

Which sectors use plant pots made from INZEA® biodegradable materials (biopolymers)?

Nursery production, seedling production, horticulture, greenhouse and open-field crops, and ornamental and forestry plants.

Biopolymers for plant pots

Every year, the agricultural industry generates millions of tonnes of conventional plastic waste. Traditional PP and PE plant pots are often used for a single growing season before ending up, at best, in landfill. They must be removed after transplanting and contribute to the generation of microplastics that persist in the environment for centuries.

INZEA® bioplastic resins enable the production of plant pots that return to nature, eliminating waste at source and reducing environmental impact. INZEA® biodegradable plant pots provide the same functionality as conventional pots throughout the nursery phase, while eliminating the need for collection after use. Depending on the application, the pot can be transplanted together with the plant and left in the soil, where it biodegrades over time.

Need more information?

Why choose INZEA® for your plant pots?

Whether you require structural rigidity or lightweight flexibility, INZEA® biopolymers are designed to deliver high performance in rigid pots and trays, as well as in flexible pots and seedling bags, for:

Nursery production
Seedling and nursery production
Horticulture
Greenhouse and open-field cultivation
Ornamental and forestry plants

Rigid and flexible solutions

For rigid applications (plant pots and trays), INZEA® grades offer a renewable content ranging from 40% to 85%, matching the performance of conventional plastics currently used in agricultural products. For flexible applications (seedling bags and flexible pots), INZEA® combines lightweight handling with the same end-of-life biodegradability benefits.

Performance engineered for nursery applications

Performance engineered for nursery applications
INZEA® offers specific grades with optimised mechanical properties for the production of plant pots, delivering the same functionality as conventional products. The materials can be processed using standard injection moulding, thermoforming or extrusion equipment, with no need for new machinery.

Certifications

INZEA® materials for plant pots are certified according to EN 13432 or EN 17033 standards, depending on the requirements of each application:

TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL: certifies compliance with the EN 13432 standard, confirming that the material biodegrades under industrial composting conditions.
TÜV Austria OK biodegradable SOIL: certifies compliance with the EN 17033 standard, confirming that the material biodegrades directly in soil.

Learn more on our INZEA® product testing and certifications page.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What happens to the plant pot after transplanting?

Depending on the application, biodegradable plant pots made from INZEA® biopolymers can be transplanted together with the plant. The pot remains in the soil and biodegrades over time according to environmental conditions, eliminating the need for collection and preventing plastic waste from accumulating in the field.

Under which standards are the INZEA® materials (biopolymers) used for plant pots certified?

INZEA® plant pot materials are certified according to EN 13432 (TÜV Austria OK compost INDUSTRIAL) or EN 17033 (TÜV Austria OK biodegradable SOIL), depending on the application.

Can biodegradable plant pots made using INZEA® materials be manufactured with existing equipment?

Yes. INZEA® compostable and biodegradable materials can be processed using conventional injection moulding, thermoforming or extrusion equipment.

Which sectors use biodegradable plant pots made from INZEA® biopolymers?

Nursery production, seedling and nursery propagation, horticulture, greenhouse and open-field cultivation, and ornamental and forestry plants.

WHAT IS INZEA?

INZEA® is NUREL’s range of biodegradable, compostable and biobased biopolymers, designed to replace conventional plastics across a wide variety of industries.