From claims to proof: why biobased certification matters in today’s printing market
Sustainability has become one of the most discussed topics in the printing industry. But as attention has grown, so has confusion.
Today’s market is saturated with sustainability claims, self-declarations and loosely defined concepts that make it increasingly difficult to distinguish real impact from well-intentioned messaging.
For printers, brands and ESG decision-makers alike, this “green noise” creates a real challenge: how to evaluate materials based on facts, not promises.
This is the context in which independent certification becomes essential.
The challenge: sustainability without clarity
In recent years, sustainability has shifted from a nice-to-have to a real decision criterion. Brands are under increasing pressure to document their impact, printers are expected to align with ESG requirements, and materials are scrutinised more closely than ever.
Yet despite this growing attention, the market often lacks:
- clear definitions
- comparable metrics
- independent verification
As a result, sustainability risks losing meaning — not because it lacks importance, but because it lacks structure.
In a sector built on reliability, consistency and performance, this lack of clarity is no longer sustainable.
Why independent certification changes the conversation
Independent certifications play a critical role in restoring trust and transparency.
They introduce:
- objective measurement
- recognised methodologies
- third-party verification
This moves sustainability away from subjective interpretation and into a space where it can be assessed, compared and reported with confidence.
For the printing industry, this shift is particularly relevant as sustainability becomes increasingly embedded in procurement decisions and ESG reporting frameworks.
BIOND: from biobased concept to certified reality
BIOND was developed with a clear ambition: to offer a new generation of printing films made from biobased raw materials, without compromising performance or usability.
With the recent award of the OK biobased certification by TÜV Austria, this ambition is now independently verified.
The certification confirms:
- a biobased carbon content of up to 97%
- assessment in accordance with EN 16640, the European standard for determining biobased carbon content
- verification by a recognised, independent certification body
This marks a clear transition. BIOND moves from a sustainability statement to a fact-based, documented and verifiable solution.
Certified products, applied in real environments
Importantly, the OK biobased certification applies to specific BIOND products currently available on the market, ensuring that verified sustainability claims are directly linked to materials used in real production environments.
Certified products include:
- BIOND Dot Matrix → biondfilms.com/en/products/printing-films/
- BIOND Bubble-Free → biondfilms.com/en/products/printing-films/
By certifying individual products — rather than abstract concepts — BIOND reinforces the connection between sustainability data and practical application, allowing printers and brands to make informed, confident material choices.
What EN 16640 actually means (without the complexity)
EN 16640 is the European standard that defines how the biobased carbon content of a material is measured.
In simple terms, it:
- analyses the proportion of carbon derived from renewable biological sources
- distinguishes biobased content from fossil-based carbon
- provides a transparent, repeatable and scientifically recognised methodology
This matters because it ensures that biobased claims are not based on assumptions or internal calculations, but on an objective and comparable approach.
For the market, EN 16640 provides a common reference point — and that reference point is data.
What this certification is — and what it is not
Clarity also means understanding the scope of certification.
The OK biobased certification is:
- independently verified
- measurable and documented
- relevant for ESG reporting and material evaluation
It is not:
- a marketing label
- a self-declared sustainability claim
- a substitute for professional judgement when selecting materials
Certification does not replace decision-making. It strengthens it.
Why this matters for printers and brands
For printers, certified materials help reduce uncertainty. They make it easier to justify material choices, respond to client questions and align sustainability objectives with operational realities.
For brands and ESG teams, certification provides credible data that can be integrated into sustainability strategies, audits and reporting processes.
In both cases, the value lies in confidence — confidence that sustainability claims are supported by evidence.
A broader responsibility for the industry
Speaking about the certification, Armando Mota, CEO of Digidelta, highlights the wider responsibility behind this milestone:
“Sustainability in our industry can no longer rely on good intentions alone. As manufacturers, we have a responsibility to provide clarity, data and independent validation. Certification is not about differentiation — it is about credibility.”
This perspective reflects a broader shift in the sector: sustainability is no longer a competitive slogan, but a shared responsibility across the value chain.
Less noise, more substance
The future of sustainability in printing will not be defined by who communicates the most, but by who can document impact with clarity and consistency.
Independent certification is not the end of the journey — but it is a necessary foundation.
For BIOND, the OK biobased certification represents a commitment to transparency, accountability and informed decision-making in a market that increasingly demands proof.
Interested in evaluating certified BIOND materials in real conditions?
👉 Request a BIOND sample kit and test certified biobased films in your own production environment.