Roadmap to Biodegradable Plastics—Current State and Research Needs

Abstract

Plastics, with their ubiquitous presence in our daily lives and environment, pose an uncomfortable conundrum. Producers and consumers are aware of the value of these organic ingredients in material flow, yet their persistence and disruption to the ecological milieu desperately stipulate a shift in the status quo. Biodegradable plasticsas the name suggestshas its appeal in ensuring the safe return of carbon to ecosystems by complete assimilation of the degraded product as a food source for soil or aquatic microorganisms. However, despite more than a decade of commercial presence, these plastics are still far from replacing the demand for fossil-fuel-based commodity plastics. We discuss this apparent disconnect herein through a material value chain perspective. We review the current state of commercial biodegradable plastics and contrast it against the desired state of the zero-waste-focused circular economy. To close the gap, we suggest critical research needs concerning the structure and properties of biodegradable plastics, testing standards, application development, and waste management. The ultimate success in displacing conventional plastics with biodegradable alternatives will be predicated on collaboration between all stakeholders across the product value chain.

Functional Nanocellulose, Alginate and Chitosan Nanocomposites Designed as Active Film Packaging Materials

“…That the transition towards non-virgin petrochemical and bio-based raw materials as alternative feedstocks should include recycled chemicals from plastics waste, sustainable biomass, industrial wastes such as CO 2 , and modified biopolymers such as cellulose or starch, is suggested mainly due to the interest in minimizing the environmental impact caused using synthetic packaging materials. One of the most desired features expected in packaging is the capability of decomposing into carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass, the dominant mechanism of decomposition being the enzymatic action of microorganisms and that the resulting products can be obtained and measured in a period of a certain time [6]. The materials used to make biodegradable packaging can be biopolymers of natural origin (alginate, starch, gelatine, collagen, proteins, chitosan, (nano)cellulose, pectin) or of synthetic origins, such as polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, and polyvinyl alcohol [7,8].…”

Modelling of Environmental Ageing of Polymers and Polymer Composites—Modular and Multiscale Methods

“…Biodegradable polymers (e.g., polyesters, polyamines) have a higher concentration of heteroatoms than fossil-based polymers with pure carbon backbones, such as polyethylene. Furthermore, biodegradable polymers are often derived from raw materials inferior to their petroleum-based counterparts [ 24 ].…”

“…The hydrolysis of the polymer can be either biotic or abiotic, with abiotic hydrolysis being much slower than biotic or enzymatic hydrolysis [ 252 , 253 ]. In a natural environment, both biotic and abiotic factors synergistically influence biodegradable polymers with respect to compositions and processes [ 24 , 62 , 254 ]. Several aspects influence the microenvironment, such as pH, redox potential, interfacial chemistry and physics, chemical composition, crystallinity, and polydispersity [ 24 ].…”

“…In a natural environment, both biotic and abiotic factors synergistically influence biodegradable polymers with respect to compositions and processes [ 24 , 62 , 254 ]. Several aspects influence the microenvironment, such as pH, redox potential, interfacial chemistry and physics, chemical composition, crystallinity, and polydispersity [ 24 ]. Figure 11 left shows the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors and the interplay of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, archaea and algae [ 255 ], environment and the polymer as a complex multivariable space of biodegradation.…”

“…As far as industrially compostable plastics are concerned, the degradation process must strictly adhere to standard protocols. Although the existing standards are not perfect, they provide a solid basis for improving reproducibility in all test laboratories [ 24 ]. The ISO 14855 standard describes the method for biodegradation under controlled composting conditions [ 25 ].…”