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 free of genetic engineering. We have the relevant certificates from our raw material manufacturers. We believe that anything that should be returned to nature should not be genetically modified. That would be contrary to our philosophy. The only disadvantage: all the advantages (GMO-free, European cultivation, Austrian added value, CO₂-saving production, food-safe, biodegradable, particularly breathable, etc.) of our product unfortunately still affect the manufacturing costs at the moment.

The brand NaKu (Natural Plastic) offers a wide range of bioplastic products for everyday use, based on renewable raw materials such as cornstarch and sugar. The range includes typical everyday items 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.

Processing NaKu granules requires similar amounts of energy to processing conventional plastics. Natural plastic carrier bags currently have a slightly better energy balance than the same items made from conventional plastic due to their compostability and the fact that the raw material is produced from renewable resources. The significant advantage of using natural plastics lies in their CO₂ emissions.₂-balance and thus the impact on climate and climate change. For NaKu, it is important for our future (and that of our descendants) that modern technologies are managed in a closed loop and can renew themselves without permanently depleting the Earth's resources. Natural plastics are a major step in this direction, as their cycle remains closed: from the plant to the natural plastic and back to 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 done via the in Germany NaKu Online Shop (eshop.naku.at). For products explicitly shipped to Germany, please check the delivery options and availability directly in the online shop.

NaKu is a company that is intensively involved in the development and manufacture of products made from Natural plastic The company is committed to sustainability and places great emphasis on it. 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 cornstarch-based bio-bags (for storing food, freezing, and garbage) are the compostable alternative to conventional plastic bags, and the biopolymer films serve as a compostable alternative to petroleum-based films such as PVC.

NaKu The company 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 NaKuThey produce the biopolymer film, which is based on rapidly renewable plant raw materials (sugar & cornstarch) and represents a compostable alternative to conventional films, which is used, for example, for food storage bags or as liner bags for organic produce boxes.

For garden and landscape design, it offers NaKu We offer specialized bioplastic products that are biodegradable in soil. These include the Organic plant bags, which can be placed directly into the ground with the plant and decompose slowly, as well as compostable plant tags, loop tags and bio-tree protection sleeves 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 a generic term for all polymers that are either partially or completely made from renewable raw materials (bio-based) are produced or the 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 degradation 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 the Reducing dependence on petroleum, which potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions by binding CO₂ during plant growth and the possibility of developing materials that are suitable for specific applications and/or the industrial composting are suitable.

In the strict sense of industrial manufacturing, it is not possible for private individuals to commercially available bioplastic It can be made at home. However, simple prototypes similar to plastic can be made in the kitchen using starch, water, and vinegar; these serve to demonstrate the principles but have no 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) PLA is one of the best-known bioplastics. It is bio-based and biodegradable under industrial conditions. It is widely 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 and extends from short-lived items such as films, cutlery and Bags ...up to more durable goods such as housings, BottlesIn principle, many conventional plastic products can be replaced by bio-based alternatives.

The main motivation for products made from bioplastic to produce lies in Reducing environmental impacts, in particular the reduction of fossil resource consumption and the potential reduction of persistent plastic waste through biodegradable options. Furthermore, they meet a growing market demand for environmentally friendly materials.