M49 Bioplastic granules

Sustainability and innovation in the service of the environment

The sustainable beauty of M49 acetate granules

M49 acetate granules represent one of the most advanced sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Developed by Mazzucchelli 1849, M49 is an innovative bioplastic made from naturally sourced cellulose acetate (derived from FSC-certified renewable sources) and enriched with a plant-based plasticizer, completely replacing fossil-based additives. This combination makes the material bio-based and significantly reduces its environmental impact.

The story of M49 originates from the need to offer a material that combines aesthetics, technical performance and environmental responsibility. In fact, M49 acetate granules retain the properties that made traditional acetate famous – durability, workability, vibrant colors and transparency – while ensuring a lower environmental footprint.

Thanks to its processing versatility, M49 is suitable for a wide range of applications: from eyewear to product design, fashion to accessories and even in more technical fields where a high-performance yet environmentally friendly material is required. The combination of innovation, aesthetics and sustainability makes M49 acetate granules a benchmark in the field of modern bioplastics and a concrete choice for those seeking genuine alternatives to conventional plastic.

Natural raw materials that make the difference

At the core of M49 are renewable resources: cellulose acetate derived from wood and a plasticizer mainly obtained from plant-based starch and fermentation-derived ethanol. This composition respects the environment and reflects a responsible choice starting from the raw materials.

The percentage of renewable content is determined using the carbon-14 test, a recognized method that distinguishes naturally occurring carbon in biomass from fossil-based carbon. This allows for an accurate measurement of how much of the material comes from renewable resources.

This test, conducted according to ASTM D6866, certifies that the M49 content attributable to natural origin is about 67%. As with traditional cellulose acetate granules, M49 granules can be recycled either through mechanical recycling or molecular recycling (CRT).

Whereas mechanical recycling, like with all materials, reduces the color options and performance characteristics of the finished product, molecular recycling enables the production of items that are identical to virgin material. Thanks to CRT technology, the total sustainability rate (combining bio-based and recycled content) of M49 granules reaches 96%.

M49 has also undergone biodegradability test according to ISO 14855 and has received certification from a leading European research institute. Under controlled humus biodegradability conditions as specified, M49 achieves 97% decomposition within 160 days, exceeding the standard requirements.

Thanks to these characteristics, M49 stands out as one of the most innovative bioplastics and represents a tangible sustainable alternative to conventional plastic, combining technical performance, recyclability, and high biodegradability.

Differences between standard acetate granules and M49 granules

Our M49 granules (patented formulation) represent a significant step towards making cellulose acetate more sustainable compared to the standard formulation. Mazzucchelli’s research has enabled the use of components from renewable sources which, not only increase the natural-origin content from 42% to 67%, but also make the material biodegradable without compromising any physical, mechanical, transparency, colorability or workability properties. This ensures that the finished product can achieve the same performance as the standard formulation.

Properties and advantages of M49 acetate granules

M49 has all the distinctive features of cellulose acetate that have made this material a benchmark in the most demanding industries, but with a decisive added value: it represents one of the most sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Compared to fossil-based polymers, M49 not only delivers equivalent performance in terms of strength, aesthetics and workability, but also offers a competitive advantage in terms of environmental impact and customization potential.

The differences between M49 cellulose acetate and traditional polymers are clear: M49 combines the versatility and aesthetic quality typical of acetate with a higher level of environmental awareness, making it a benchmark among innovative bioplastics. Thanks to its processability and customization potential, it is used not only in eyewear and fashion, but also in industrial design, accessories, and technical components.

To learn more about the characteristics of M49 acetate and verify its environmental compliance, please refer to:

• ASTM D6866 – Method for determining bio-based content.
• ISO 14855 – Standard for biodegradability.
• Mazzucchelli Acetate Renew Program - Information on mechanical and molecular recycling (CRT).

Processing and applications of M49 granules

M49 acetate granules represent an innovative, flexible and sustainable solution designed to meet the needs of different production sectors. Born from the research and innovation of Mazzucchelli 1849, leader in the processing of sustainable materials, the granules are designed to adapt to the main bioplastic transformation processes: injection molding, 3D printing, extrusion and blow molding.

This versatility paves the way for numerous applications, not only in the eyewear sector where Mazzucchelli acetate has always been a benchmark, but also in other fields such as fashion accessories, ensuring high-performance products with superior aesthetic quality.

Likewise, in the fashion accessories and jewelry sector, the use of M49 makes it possible to create unique and refined pieces, enhancing the craftsmanship and innovative character of the products. Mazzucchelli continues to invest in the research and development of bioplastic processing with the aim of further extending the field of application of M49 acetate, introducing it also in sectors where bioplastics are not yet the first choice. This commitment reflects a clear vision: to promote alternative solutions to plastic, capable of combining aesthetics, performance and environmental responsibility.

Discover all the details about the possible applications of the material by visiting the page dedicated to the applications of M49 acetate granules.

Bring Mazzucchelli innovation to your industry

If you’re interested in using our granules, you can contact us to receive dedicated consultation, technical insights, or request material samples.

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Between innovation and sustainability: Mazzucchelli 1849

Long before sustainability became a global priority, Mazzucchelli had already recognized the need to rethink the materials of the future. More than 15 years ago, this insight led to the creation of M49, an innovative and biodegradable cellulose acetate, the result of advanced research into alternatives to traditional plastics.

Today, M49 stands as an industry benchmark for those seeking quality, performance, and environmental responsibility, as well as tangible proof of Mazzucchelli’s leadership and pioneering vision.

With over 175 years of experience in acetate processing, Mazzucchelli combines artisanal tradition and technological innovation to deliver cutting-edge solutions. Every stage of the production process undergoes rigorous quality control, ensuring consistency, traceability and reliable results over time.

Choosing Mazzucchelli means choosing a partner that not only provides a material of excellence but also leads the change toward a more sustainable future.

Thanks to international certifications, a dedicated technical service and long-standing collaborations worldwide, our clients can rely on comprehensive support and a continuous drive for innovation.

Certified Reliability

The quality of our cellulose acetate granules is confirmed by internationally recognized certifications that attest to compliance with environmental, safety and resource management standards.

All materials used comply with REACH, RoHS and Proposition 65 regulations, which govern chemical safety and the restriction of hazardous substances, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. In addition, the materials have undergone rigorous dermatological testing to ensure their compatibility with prolonged skin contact (ISO 10993).

The analyses carried out on the renewable content through carbon-14 determination (ASTM D6866 method) and the biodegradability tests (ISO 14855 method) ensure the characteristics of the M49 granule. A concrete commitment to transparency, traceability, and sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.

Other Mazzucchelli acetate granules

In addition to M49 granules, Mazzucchelli’s offering includes:

Standard cellulose acetate granules: Standard cellulose acetate granules with DEP plasticizer from fossil sources represent the traditional product that has been used for decades in the eyewear, tooling and fashion accessory industries. Easily processed through injection molding and extrusion, they have a sustainability content ranging from 41% to 65%. →
M49TEC granules based on cellulose acetate and a food-approved bio-plasticizer: A further evolution of the M49 formulation, developed in our laboratories, uses a renewable-source bio-plasticizer approved for food contact under specific conditions of use, making Mazzucchelli granules the ideal solution for the cosmetic packaging sector. →
Biocomposites granules based on standard cellulose acetate, M49 or M49TEC granules: Mazzucchelli 1849 technology enables the addition of organic materials recovered from the agri-food and textile industries, thereby enhancing the sustainability and circularity of our granules. →