Label Conference - Brigl & Bergmeister

COD: chemical oxygen demand
Chemical oxygen demand or COD = the amount of oxygen that is
needed to chemically oxidise the organic compounds present in
wastewater = « chemical degradation ».
The COD test is carried out on waste water and/or test sample
diluted with pure water by adding a mixture of bichromate and
sulphuric acid which chemically oxidises all biologically- and non
biologically degradeable organic materials.
COD unit = mg O ² /litre.
BOD-5/COD ratios in relation to the
biodegradeability of adhesives
• The higher the BOD-5/COD ratio (expresed as a percentage)
the more easily will the material degrade biologically. We
have identified 3 classes of products:
• Readily biodegradeable : BOD-5/COD ratio > 50 %:
includes caseins and starches, altough there is an indication
that starches degrade more slowly.
• Moderately biodegradeable: BOD-5/COD ratio between
40 – 50 %.
• Non-biodegradable : BOD-5/COD ratio < 30 %: typical of a
synthetic-base material.