FAQ – Frequently asked questions and our answers

Natural plastic is very similar to conventional plastic in terms of its properties, but it is produced on the basis of plants and therefore offers an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum products. At NaKu, all products are made from renewable raw materials and are completely biodegradable. 

If there is no NaKu sales outlet near you, you can of course either order the products you want directly online in the NaKu webshop or simply contact NaKu by phone or email.

Only materials are added that comply with the strict requirements of DIN 13432, the applicable standard for biodegradable materials. After our products have decomposed, grade A compost is produced again and thus the best nutrients for new plants.

It is very important to us that the starch used in our products is GMO-free. We have the corresponding certificates from our raw material suppliers. We believe that anything intended to be returned to nature must not be genetically modified. That would contradict our philosophy. The only drawback: all the advantages of our product (GMO-free, European cultivation, Austrian value creation, CO2 _- saving production, food-safe, biodegradable, particularly breathable, etc.) are unfortunately still reflected in the production costs.

The NaKu (Natural Plastic) brand offers a wide range of bioplastic products for everyday use, based on renewable raw materials such as cornstarch and sugar. The product range includes typical everyday essentials like biodegradable food storage bags, biodegradable freezer bags, and various biodegradable carrier bags, as well as PLA/rPLA bottles and containers, such as those for "NOT PLASTIC WATER" or special cooking oil bottles, complemented by biodegradable garbage bags, biodegradable dog waste bags, and compostable biocards.

NaKu is not happy when biodegradable plastic (un)intentionally ends up in nature, even though natural plastics are completely biodegradable sooner or later. Their lifespan depends on several factors: moisture, agitation, oxygen supply, etc. Optimal conditions prevail in an industrial composting facility: there, the temperature is always around 60°C, there are many bacteria, and constant agitation. Under these conditions, the decomposition process takes about 3-5 days. In an agricultural manure heap, for example, which is turned regularly, it takes 9-12 weeks for our NaKu bags to decompose in warm weather.

The processing of natural plastics (NaKu) granules requires similar amounts of energy to the processing of conventional plastics. Due to their compostability and the fact that the raw material is produced from renewable resources, natural plastic carrier bags currently have a slightly better energy balance than the same items made from conventional plastic. The significant advantage of using natural plastics lies in their CO2 _balance and thus their impact on the climate and climate change. For NaKu, it is crucial for our future (and that of our descendants) that modern technologies are circular and can renew themselves without permanently depleting the Earth's resources. Natural plastics represent a major step in this direction, as their cycle remains closed: from the plant to the natural plastic and back to the Earth through decomposition.

Even though they look very similar to conventional plastic, NaKu products are natural products that are subject to aging. NaKu guarantees the quality of, for example, its food storage bags for the first 6 months after purchase. The products are usually shipped directly from the production line. In that case, there should be little change for the first 12 months. After about 14 months, the product may lose approximately 10-15% of its load-bearing capacity. After about 36 months (depending on storage conditions), NaKu bags will gradually become brittle and porous. They would disintegrate, as is intended to happen at the end of the product life cycle.

Of course. Multiple uses, along with their versatility, are fundamental to NaKu's sustainability philosophy. You can refill, wash, and reuse the NaKu bags again and again. However, if mold does get into the NaKu food storage bag, the decomposition process will begin. In this case, it should not be used again. The bag will then serve its final purpose and can be used once more as a compostable waste bag.

In the NaKu webshop you will find all NaKu products made from natural plastic. The webshop also provides information on products that NaKu can manufacture on request, for example bags printed with a company logo or B2B products.

Bioplastic packaging and products from NaKu can primarily be purchased in Germany via the NaKu online shop (eshop.naku.at). For products specifically shipped to Germany, please check the delivery options and availability directly in the online shop.

NaKu is a company that focuses intensively on the development and production of products made from natural plastics , placing great emphasis on sustainability. This is reflected in the use of non-GMO, rapidly renewable, plant-based raw materials (cornstarch, sugar) and the focus on biodegradable or compostable end products that do not form persistent microplastics.

NaKu offers effective alternatives to petroleum-based plastics: PLA/rPLA bottles and cans replace PET and are free of plasticizers. The bio-based bags (for storing food, freezing, and garbage) made from cornstarch are a compostable alternative to conventional plastic bags, and the biopolymer films serve as a compostable alternative to petroleum-based films such as PVC.

NaKu produces a wide range of biodegradable and DIN 13432 compostable bioplastic bags (so-called "bags"). These include biodegradable food storage bags, biodegradable garbage bags, biodegradable carrier bags for retail and pharmacies, and biodegradable dog waste bags, all of which are produced using non-GMO cornstarch from European agriculture.

One manufacturer that offers bioplastic films for food packaging is NaKu . They produce biopolymer film based on rapidly renewable plant raw materials (sugar and cornstarch), which is a compostable alternative to conventional films and is used, for example, for food storage bags or as liner bags for organic produce boxes.

For gardening and landscaping, NaKu offers specialized bioplastic products that are biodegradable in the soil. These include biodegradable plant bags that can be placed directly into the ground with the plant and decompose slowly, as well as compostable plant labels, loop labels, and biodegradable tree protectors to prevent the formation of microplastics in the soil.

Bioplastic drinking bottles are a more environmentally conscious alternative to conventional plastic bottles. They are typically made from bio-based polymers whose raw materials are derived from renewable sources such as sugarcane, like PLA. These bottles are designed to meet the same requirements for food safety, durability, and reusability as standard plastic bottles, while reducing reliance on fossil resources.

The term bioplastic is an umbrella term for all polymers that are either partially or entirely made from renewable raw materials (bio-based) or that are biodegradable . These materials serve as a replacement or supplement to plastics derived from petroleum. The focus is on utilizing alternative sources and/or contributing to the improved decomposition of the materials at the end of their life cycle.

Yes, bioplastic bags are widely used, especially as compostable shopping bags or bin bags for organic waste. They differ from conventional plastic bags in that they are usually made from bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers. The advantage is that they are designed to decompose completely under the right conditions (usually in industrial composting facilities).

Bioplastics are used for a wide range of packaging, from flexible films and bags to rigid trays, containers, and bottles. They are used in the food industry, cosmetics, and many single-use products to facilitate a material shift towards bio-based or biodegradable alternatives.

The main advantages of bioplastics include reducing dependence on petroleum , potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions through the binding of CO2 _during plant growth, and the possibility of developing materials suitable for specific applications and/or industrial composting .

In the strict sense of industrial manufacturing, it is not possible for private individuals to produce marketable bioplastics themselves. However, simple prototypes similar to plastic can be made in the kitchen using starch, water, and vinegar. These serve to demonstrate the principles but do not possess any commercial properties.

Bioplastics are playing an increasingly important role in global trade and the economy, as companies increasingly seek more environmentally friendly solutions and laws in many regions restrict the use of single-use plastics. They are sold as raw granules to processors and find their way into retail stores as finished products (packaging, equipment).

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the best-known bioplastics. PLA is bio-based and biodegradable under industrial conditions. It is frequently used for packaging materials, disposable tableware, fibers, and is the preferred material in 3D printing.

The range of products made from bioplastics is very diverse, extending from short-lived items such as films, cutlery, and bags to more durable goods like housings and drinking bottles . In principle, many conventional plastic products can be replaced by bio-based alternatives.

The main motivation for manufacturing products from bioplastics lies in reducing environmental impact , particularly the consumption of fossil resources and the potential reduction of persistent plastic waste through biodegradable options. Furthermore, they meet a growing market demand for environmentally friendly materials.