{"id":143831,"date":"2024-05-14T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=143831"},"modified":"2024-05-08T11:24:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T09:24:24","slug":"what-innovations-for-affordable-biodegradable-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/what-innovations-for-affordable-biodegradable-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"What innovations for affordable biodegradable materials?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\u00a9 Lactips<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The packaging industry is gradually turning towards more sustainable packaging solutions, composed mainly of bio-based and\/or biodegradable materials. Although this transition is necessary, finding a balance between environmental and economic aspects is crucial.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the main biodegradable plastic materials?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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PLA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This aliphatic polyester is obtained from sugars such as corn starch, beet, or sugarcane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the oldest and best-known biodegradable plastic, compostable in an industrial environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This polymer is naturally produced by microorganisms, 100% biodegradable and compostable both domestically and industrially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PHA is mainly formed by injection molding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PBS\/PBSA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poly(butylene succinate), or PBS, is also a polyester. While it was long produced from petro-sourced materials, current PBS is generally 50% bio-based and mostly compostable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PBSA, or polybutylene succinate adipate, is 35% bio-based, very flexible, and biodegradable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Le PBAT<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) is a biodegradable polyester copolymer. Highly flexible, it is a very good candidate for replacing PE film packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other materials and innovations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Other materials exist, including starch-based compounds, cellulose, and BioTPE. Among these partially bio-based materials, some references are also biodegradable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biodegradable under what conditions?<\/strong><\/td>Industrial compost<\/strong><\/td>Home compost<\/strong><\/td>Soil<\/strong><\/td>Water<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
BioTPE (TPU, SEBS, etc.)<\/strong><\/td>Some references<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
PLA<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
PHA<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
PBS\/PBSA<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
PBAT\/PCL<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Cellulosic<\/strong><\/td>Some references<\/td>Some references<\/td>Some references<\/td>Some references<\/td><\/tr>
Starch based<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Some references<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Source:\u00a0Presentation of NaturePlast during the Polyvia Materials Purchasing Day, organized in October 2021.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The importance of accelerated biodegradation\u00a0<\/strong>Most biodegradable polymers on the market are certified as biodegradable for thin products, around a hundred micrometers thick, and some manufacturers achieve up to a millimeter in standardized tests for home composting, but without certification.Fortunately, it is possible to accelerate this biodegradation by adding additives (including enzymes and bacteria) or by mixing the material with a biodegradable polymer such as CareTips\u00ae resin.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Biodegradable polymers: more expensive than traditional plastics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Polyvia, in October 2023, the prices of polyethylene were as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n