Biodegradable twine: Plant to rope to compost to rope

"What many users of plastic rope don't know is that after use, there are always leftovers that end up in the soil and remain there for hundreds of years. Because every year more is added, the problems that these plastic fractions can cause are increasing. More and more buyers of compost experience the consequences”, says Siep Dijkstra of Lankhorst Yarns. "With PLA rope, a degradable rope, we have a solution."

From CO2 to CO2

The horticulture rope Elite Bio twine from Lankhorst Yarns is made of plants. "Plants like corn, sugar cane, sugar beet and cassava convert CO2 to sugars," Siep explains. "Through fermentation, the sugars are converted into lactic acid and through polymerization becomes the poly-lactic acid, also called PLA. And from this PLA we make our Elite® Bio twine." New is the possibility to acquire PLA directly from CO2. As a result, no plant sugar is needed any more. "And at the breakdown of the PLA Bio Twine in compost you get water and CO2 again."

Composting

After cultivation, the rope breaks down together with crop residues during composting. "No need to sift out the rope anymore, a fully usable compost is made without harmful rope fractions. That is why many ‘home composters’ also choose ELITE® Bio twine. It closes the circle," Siep says.

The Elite Bio twine has been in use for over eight years and the experiences that Siep hears are definitely good. "It does not absorb water, in that respect it is similar to synthetic fiber rope, it knots well, does not cut in the plant and is almost insensitive to UV", he says. "Of course, we are always working on improvements - but we do keep it 100% sustainable. From CO2 to CO2."

Further information can be found at www.ELITE-HORTI.com or ask your ELITE® dealer