Glossary of trade terms

Plain-language definitions of 133 terms used in raw material trade: Incoterms, payment, shipping, customs, quality documents, plastics, metals, chemicals, agriculture and energy.

All topics · 133 Incoterms & trade contracts · 20 Payment & trade finance · 18 Shipping & logistics · 19 Customs, tax & compliance · 16 Quality, testing & documents · 11 Markets & pricing · 11 Plastics & polymers · 8 Metals & steel · 8 Chemicals & safety · 6 Agriculture, food & feed · 5 Energy, fuels & minerals · 4 Marine & ship supply · 3 Textiles, paper, wood & other materials · 4

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V Y

B · 1

Bioplastic: bio-based vs. compostable

The term covers two different properties. Bio-based plastics take their carbon from renewable sources such as sugar cane, corn or vegetable oil (e.g. bio-PE, bio-PET); they may be chemically identical to fossil versions and need not biodegrade. Compostable plastics – PLA, PBAT, PHA, starch blends – break down within a set time under industrial composting according to EN 13432 or ASTM D6400, and some are fossil-based. When buying, ask separately for the bio-based content (ASTM D6866) and the compostability certificate (TÜV OK compost, BPI).