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THE SCIENCE

What microplastics are and why they matter

Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than 5mm. They form when plastic materials degrade or shed under heat, friction, or chemical exposure.

How PE coating sheds particles

Paper
PE Film
Hot Liquid
Particles

Heat causes PE film to shed 25,000+ microplastic particles per cup into beverages

Why PLA is still plastic

PLA (polylactic acid) is a polymer chain — chemically, it is plastic. It only degrades at 60°C+ in industrial composters that barely exist in India. In landfills or home compost, PLA persists for decades, shedding microplastic particles just like PE.

How aqueous coating works

Water-based binders bond directly into cellulose fibres at a molecular level. There is no separate film layer — the barrier becomes part of the paper itself. No film means no shedding, no particles, and full recyclability with normal paper waste streams.

References

  • [1] Revel, M. et al. (2018). “Micro(nano)plastics: A threat to human health?” Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 17-23.
  • [2] Hernandez, L.M. et al. (2019). “Plastic Teabags Release Billions of Microparticles into Tea.” Environmental Science & Technology, 53(21).
  • [3] CPPRI Technical Report (2023). “Repulpability Assessment of Aqueous Barrier-Coated Paper.”
CERTIFICATIONS

Every claim backed by certification

The Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute (CPPRI, Saharanpur) tests whether coated paper can be broken down and recycled alongside standard paper waste. Our cups pass the CPPRI repulpability protocol — meaning the aqueous coating dissolves completely during the pulping process. No residual plastic film, no contamination of the recycling stream. Each production batch is sampled and tested.

COMPARISON

PE Cup vs PLA Cup vs Pratva Aqueous

Microplastics shed
per cup of hot liquid (85°C+)
PE Coating
~25,000
particles per cup
PLA Coating
Still sheds
polymer particles
Pratva
ZERO
no film to shed
Biodegradable
PE Coating
No
450+ years in landfill
PLA Coating
Industrial only
facilities barely exist in India
Pratva
Yes
home compostable, 90 days
Recyclable with paper
PE Coating
No
paper + plastic fused
PLA Coating
No
contaminates recycling
Pratva
Yes
re-pulpable, CPPRI certified
Regulatory status
PE Coating
Banned
single-use plastics rules
PLA Coating
Greenwashing
still chemically a plastic
Pratva
Compliant
CPCB EPR registered
Third-party certification
PE Coating
None
—
PLA Coating
None relevant
ISO 17088 requires industrial
Pratva
CPPRI · FDA · FSSAI
CPCB EPR registered
Source: CPPRI repulpability protocol · CIPET ISO 17088 · CPCB Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2022
Microplastic figure: Schymanski et al., 2021 — hot liquid contact at 85°C for 15 minutes

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