Biopolymers- PLA

Biopolymers-PLA

Biopolymers

Bio-degradable plastics derived from renewable resources (starch based cereals, sugar beet, PLA, PHA) will appear on the market for many years as a new generation of polymers. It is important and has numerous applications in packaging and in particular for products in the short duration of life. These materials appear to be the answer to the search for alternatives to plastics of fossil origin. These materials fully meet the criterion of environmental awareness and compliance with the new regulations emerging (Mukherjee & Kao, 2011).

Today, the amount of these plastics is still very low (around 150,000 tons, compared with 150 million tons correspond to the global production of plastics in the world) but is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. However, questions still pose a real ecological value of these materials, their physical properties, such as permeability and biodegradability and their properties in terms of transformation.

Theses have many advantages. They can be produced from renewable resources and are usually biodegradable. However, biopolymers such as poly-lactic acid (poly-lactic, PLA) have a disadvantage: they are brittle and their impact is minimal. Polymers from renewable resources are therefore so far mainly as a commodity plastic in food packaging, blister packs bottles and disposable utensils application. Specialty products, such as medical implants are on the rise. This material can be easily processed by injection molding. The natural composite material could be extended to the auto industry are used. According to Gangster, a realistic goal is to produce such an instrument panel carrier from rayon reinforced poly-lactide (Van de Velde & Kiekens, 2002).

Explanation

The recycling of plastics is very expensive for government institutions and makes the landfill into the ground the cheaper alternative from the economic point of view, but not from the environment. The combination of content-case first requires verification of eligibility and hygiene ...