Agriculture and horticulture, construction and civil engineering, nature conservation, sports facilities… Drainage is a priority in virtually every infrastructure project. And that means plastic pipes in the ground, often remaining in the soil for extended periods. Alldrain and B4Plastics have developed a remarkable alternative: drainage pipes made from bio-based materials that biodegrade within a predetermined timeframe, leaving no harmful residues in the environment. It’s a world first.
Towards cleaner soil
You can’t see them, but they’re there. Wherever you are, plastic pipes surround us underground—many of them for drainage applications. These pipes are built to last. They remain in the soil for decades or sometimes centuries, even when they’re no longer in use.
“An avoidable form of soil pollution” says Stefaan De Wildeman, CEO of materials specialist B4Plastics. “That was also the conviction of drainage company Alldrain. At their request, we developed a sustainable alternative using new biopolymers: the Verdiflex pipe.”
Bio-based and biodegradable
Verdiflex is made from bio-based materials derived from organic waste that meet all quality requirements for robust pipes. This innovation addresses society’s demand for sustainable plastics. Even more remarkable is that the drainage pipes naturally break down over time through microorganisms in the soil, without leaving harmful residues in the environment.
Stefaan De Wildeman explains: “The pipes maintain their structural integrity throughout the desired service life and then biodegrade completely. We determine exactly when that degradation period begins together with the customer—it’s entirely within our control. Depending on the project, we can select a lifespan ranging from several months to several decades. This makes Verdiflex suitable as both a temporary and structural drainage solution.”
Potential for diverse applications
Following extensive testing, Verdiflex was launched in March 2025, and the first commercial pilot projects were already underway by late summer. But there’s interest for other applications as well. For instance, B4Plastics’ biomaterial HUMICUR® is already being used for underground fiber optic network installations.
“Our technology offers a solution for hidden plastic waste streams across many sectors,” says Stefaan De Wildeman. “Step by step, we’re working towards a cleaner environment with fewer fossil-based materials.” This isn’t B4Plastics’ first breakthrough. In 2021, the company won the prestigious Food Planet Prize for developing biodegradable fishing nets.
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