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Revertebio

Learn more about the product Reverte

The degradation timeline for Reverte-treated plastics depends on environmental conditions. In Nigeria’s hot and humid climate, the process would likely be faster than in temperate regions.

⏱️ The Two-Stage Degradation Timeline

The breakdown happens in two stages, with the first being the most critical for addressing drainage blockages.

Stage 1: Oxidation & Embrittlement

· Typical Timeframe: 3 to 9 months under normal weather and temperature swings.
· How It Works: The additive catalyses an oxidative reaction triggered by heat and UV light, breaking the polymer chains and making the plastic brittle.
· Temperature Sensitivity: This is crucial for Nigeria. A 10°C rise in temperature can halve the time required for embrittlement, while a 10°C drop can double it.

Stage 2: Microbial Biodegradation

· Typical Timeframe: 6 to 18 months after embrittlement begins for the onset of this phase.
· How It Works: Once the molecular weight drops sufficiently (below ~5,000 Daltons), the material becomes a waxy substance that naturally occurring microorganisms consume, converting it into CO₂, water, and biomass.

⚖️ How It Compares to Other Solutions in Nigeria

Oxo-Biodegradable Additives (e.g., Reverte)

· Primary Mechanism: Integrates into existing plastic production; triggers degradation only when exposed to the open environment (heat, UV, oxygen).
· Key Advantage for Nigeria: Directly addresses the root cause of drainage blockage. Waste that escapes collection will degrade, preventing persistent blockages.
· Timeline: 3-9 months to embrittle, then 6-18 months to biodegrade.
· Compatibility: Compatible with existing recycling streams and manufacturing machinery.

Recycling (e.g., Wecyclers, Pakam)

· Primary Mechanism: Collects, sorts, and processes plastic waste into new materials.
· Key Advantage for Nigeria: Creates economic value and reduces landfill waste. Digital reward systems have increased recycling rates.
· Key Limitation: Relies on collection infrastructure. In Nigeria, less than 15% of waste is recycled, so it does not address the plastics already blocking drains.

Waste-to-Energy

· Primary Mechanism: Burns or processes plastic waste to generate electricity or fuel.
· Key Advantage for Nigeria: Reduces landfill volume and generates energy.
· Key Limitation: High implementation cost and requires consistent waste feedstock.

Plastic Bans

· Primary Mechanism: Prohibits single-use plastics (e.g., Lagos State ban).
· Key Advantage for Nigeria: Reduces the volume of new plastic entering the waste stream.
· Key Limitation: Enforcement is challenging, and affordable substitutes must be available.

💎 Summary

For Nigeria’s specific problem of drainage blockage, oxo-biodegradable additives offer a unique advantage: they make the plastic waste that escapes collection (the very waste that blocks drains) capable of degrading on its own. The timeline is measured in months, not the centuries it takes for conventional plastic, and the process is accelerated by Nigeria’s naturally high temperatures.

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