The Use of the Green Chemistry Concept in the Synthesis of Packaging Material Based on Polylactide

Abstract

A world without plastics, or synthetic polymer materials, seems unimaginable today. During the last decade, the share of synthetic polymer consumption used in packaging industry increased to 42%, in relation to the total consumption of polymers. Wide use of polymer materials leads to generation of large amount of waste. Environmental pollution, as well as alarming reduction of fossil fuels have led to the implementation of the strategies for pollution control, pollution prevent, energy and resources saving. Growing awareness of global pollution consequences has rised these concerns on the level of the Green Chemistry concept. Green Chemistry is a multidisciplinary field where chemistry science and industry meets each other in order to design products and strategies for elimination of harmful substances. It is well known that the most important primary sources of feedstock for polymer materials production are fossil fuels. Increasing demand for polymers, has imposed the need for fossil fuels replacement by renewable resources for its synthesis. In this paper we have shown the implementation of the Green Chemistry principles in the synthesis of packaging material based on polylactide (PLA). Polylactide is one of the most promising polymers because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and the fact that it can be produced from the biobased feedstocks. In accordance with modern ecological requirements, packaging material should be degradable or biodegradable and also economic. The use of PLA has a growing trend, therefore, today it takes an important place in packaging industry, especially because the properties of PLA films are comparable to standard petroleum based flexible packaging materials. The main purpose of this study was to synthese packaging material based on polylactide by microwave synthesis as a method which implement some of the Green Chemistry principles. Microwave synthesis of PLA meets requirements of biobased polymers from the aspect of energy and time saving production of this biodegradable material. The microwave-assisted synthesis of PLA provides homogenous heating of reaction mixture, significant reduction in polymerization time, decreased consumption of organic solvent and, in the same time, high molecular weight polymers.

A comparative study of the interaction between the dried ink layer and PLA film used for packaging purposes

“…[ 8,9 ] Hence, biodegradable and bio‐based materials, such as polylactide (PLA), starch and cellulose, and paper and board materials [ 10 ] seem to be good alternatives for traditional fossil‐based plastics. [ 11,12 ] Furthermore, also PE–starch–PLA [ 13 ] or PLA–nanofillers blends [ 14,15 ] may be an option for packaging materials. Unfortunately, the biodegradation process of PLA is the subject of intense discussion.…”

Packaging paper coated with PLA

“…As alternative, naturally renewable biopolymers can be used as barrier coatings on paper packaging materials. Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most promising polymers because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability and the fact that it can be produced from the bio based feedstocks (Vukić et al, 2018). PLA is extremely versatile and can be injection molded, extruded, foamed, thermoformed or applied onto the paper with different coating techniques (Khwaldia et al, 2010;Vartiainen et al, 2004).…”