Certified Soil-Biodegradable Mulch Film for Tomato Crops
Tomato crops move fast, and so does the ground beneath them. Between planting, harvest, and getting the paddock ready for the next rotation, there's limited time to be retrieving and disposing of contaminated plastic film. BioAgri's certified soil-biodegradable mulch film is designed to work with a tomato crop's cycle, so at the end of the season the film is incorporated into the soil rather than collected and hauled away.
Why Tomatoes Are a Strong Application
Tomatoes are one of the strongest applications for certified soil-biodegradable mulch film. The growing cycle is short enough that a film specified for the season can be timed to hold up through establishment, fruiting, and harvest, then begin breaking down once its job is done. That's the practical advantage for tomato growers: the film doesn't need to be retrieved at the end of the crop.
What It Does for Your Tomato Crop
Weed suppression that can help reduce reliance on herbicides during the critical early growth stages of your tomato crop. Consistent soil temperature and moisture, supporting more even tomato establishment. No persistent conventional plastic mulch to retrieve — unlike conventional or oxo-degradable plastic film, BioAgri is certified to biodegrade in soil rather than persist or fragment into microplastic.
What End-of-Season Actually Looks Like
At the end of the tomato cycle, the film can be incorporated into the soil with the remaining crop material, eliminating the need to collect and dispose of contaminated conventional plastic mulch and taking a major clean-up job off your to-do list.
Matched to Your Tomato Crop Duration
BioAgri can be specified in dimensions and film grades appropriate to your crop duration and local growing conditions. Actual breakdown timing is also influenced by soil temperature, moisture, and microbial activity, so we work with you to match a specification to your program rather than promise an exact date. BioAgri mulch film is available in a range of widths, thicknesses and roll lengths to suit different tomato operations and equipment.
Certified, Not Just Claimed
BioAgri is Australia's only locally manufactured biodegradable mulch film certified to ISO 23517:2021 by the Australasian Bioplastics Association. This standard covers biodegradation, ecotoxicity, and control of constituents for soil-biodegradable mulch films used in agriculture and horticulture. BioAgri film is made from Mater-Bi and works with the same standard mulch-laying equipment you're already using.
Conventional vs Certified Soil-Biodegradable Mulch
| Conventional polyethylene mulch | Certified soil-biodegradable mulch |
| Must normally be retrieved | Incorporated into soil after use |
| Often contaminated with soil and crop matter at removal | Certified against soil biodegradation requirements |
| Removal, transport and disposal required | Reduces end-of-season retrieval work |
| Can leave fragments if retrieval is incomplete | Designed to biodegrade rather than persist |
We'd encourage comparing total installed-plus-removal cost rather than film price alone. Biodegradable film isn't always cheaper up front, but the retrieval and disposal savings are usually where it pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does biodegradable tomato mulch film last?
Lifespan is specified to your crop duration and growing conditions. Get in touch to discuss your program specifics.
Can it be laid with a standard mulch layer?
Yes, BioAgri film is compatible with standard mulch-laying equipment.
Does it need to be removed after harvest?
No. It's incorporated into the soil at the end of the season rather than collected and disposed of.
Is biodegradable mulch film the same as oxo-degradable plastic?
No. Oxo-degradable plastic fragments into microplastic rather than biodegrading. BioAgri is certified to biodegrade in soil under ISO 23517:2021.
Is it suitable for processing tomatoes?
Yes, processing tomatoes are one of the strongest applications for this film.
Is BioAgri mulch film made locally in Australia?
Yes, BioAgri is Australia's only locally manufactured biodegradable mulch film certified to ISO 23517:2021.
