✪ Philippe Dasse ✪ ☤’s Post

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have confirmed the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in harsh deep-sea environments. Further proving the viability of d2w biodegradable plastic technology as a solution to plastic litter which finds its way into the open environment and eventually the oceans of the world. The researchers found “Upon examination, except polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, which decomposes only in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, the plastic samples had all undergone changes. - To mitigate future marine plastic pollution, we must use biodegradable plastics in products where leakage into the marine environment is unavoidable," https://lnkd.in/ehD4JwCH

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have confirmed the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in harsh deep-sea environments. Further proving the viability of d2w biodegradable plastic technology as a solution to plastic litter which finds its way into the open environment and eventually the oceans of the world. The researchers found “Upon examination, except polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, which decomposes only in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, the plastic samples had all undergone changes. - To mitigate future marine plastic pollution, we must use biodegradable plastics in products where leakage into the marine environment is unavoidable," https://lnkd.in/ehD4JwCH

🔍 Interesting read: https://lnkd.in/eU3ciQ5b Researchers found that certain types of biodegradable plastics can be decomposed by microbes on the deep-sea floor, at depths ranging from 757 to 5552 meters. The study focused on various biodegradable materials, including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), biodegradable polyesters, and polysaccharide esters. While poly(L-lactic acid) did not degrade, other materials showed signs of decomposition, although the process was slower at greater depths. Microbial communities associated with the plastics were analyzed, revealing the presence of dominant microorganisms with genes for potential plastic-degrading enzymes (such as PHA depolymerases). The study concludes that biodegradable plastic materials can undergo microbial degradation on the deep-sea floor, albeit less efficiently than in coastal environments. #BiodegradableMaterials #NatureStudy #MicrobialDegradation #PlasticPollution #SustainableMaterials

Biodegradable Potato Starch Glue: A Sustainable Innovation for Packaging and Beyond In the search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic adhesives, biodegradable glues derived from sidestream potato starch have gained considerable attention. Traditionally, synthetic glues, commonly used in paper packaging, are made from polymers that do not break down naturally, contributing to environmental pollution. The increasing demand for sustainable goods, along with stricter regulations on plastic use, has driven industries to explore greener adhesive options. What Makes a Glue Biodegradable?Biodegradable adhesives are those that naturally decompose over time into harmless substances like carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. According to the Duynie Group, an expert in the field, potato starch, along with corn and wheat starch, offers a renewable and biodegradable base for adhesives. What sets sidestream potato starch apart is that it comes as a byproduct of French fry and potato chip production, making it an even more sustainable choice by reducing waste from the food industry. To qualify as biodegradable, only 20% of the product needs to break down naturally, though many biodegr... https://lnkd.in/ebVWywHZ

🌱♻️ Study: Replacing plastics with biodegradable alternatives would lead to significant carbon emissions reduction 🌍🚀 Plastic pollution has met its match! 🛑🚫 New research published in Engineering by Guanyi Chen et al. reveals the game-changing potential of biodegradable plastic products (BPPs) in slashing carbon emissions. 📊💡 By comparing the life cycle of traditional plastics with BPPs, researchers found a jaw-dropping reduction in carbon emissions when using biodegradable alternatives. 🌱💨 Traditional plastics emitted 52.09 to 150.36 kg CO2eq per 1000 products, while BPPs emitted just 21.06 to 56.86 kg CO2eq. That's a whopping 13.53% to 62.19% reduction! 🌱🌎 The study highlights key areas where BPPs shine, particularly in raw material acquisition and waste disposal. ♻️🔍 With composting and anaerobic digestion emerging as top disposal methods, BPPs prove to be the eco-warriors we've been waiting for! 🌟 But there's a catch: the cost. 💸 While BPPs show immense environmental promise, their high production costs pose a challenge for widespread adoption. Yet, the potential impact is undeniable! 📈🌱 Imagine this: replacing traditional plastics with BPPs in China alone could cut carbon emissions by a staggering 1.03 × 106 to 1.10 × 108 kg CO2eq annually! 🌟🌏 This study isn't just a game-changer; it's a blueprint for a greener, more sustainable future. 🌱🚀 Let's stay informed, take action, and work towards a plastic-free planet! 🌍✊ For more groundbreaking updates and eco-friendly initiatives, follow us and @PlaferaChallenge. Together, we can make a difference! 💚🌱 Reference: Guanyi Chen et al. "Replacing Traditional Plastics with Biodegradable Plastics: Impact on Carbon Emissions," Engineering (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2023.10.002

FEATURE: A new study by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in the UK investigates what happens when biodegradable plastics enter the ocean, and whether these increasingly popular alternatives to conventional plastics are safer for marine ecosystems, or whether they come with their own risks. When the first full synthetic plastic was invented in 1906, widespread use of the material for consumer products soon arose in the post-war period. Plastic was cheaper to produce than the more expensive paper, glass, and metal materials used in throwaway items – such as consumer packaging – and was also stronger, lighter, safer and more durable. However, the properties of plastic that make it such an attractive material, such as durability and strength, also make it a lasting problem once it reaches the end of its useful life. Some types of plastic can take thousands of years to degrade, and it is estimated that a truckload of plastic enters the ocean every minute. In response to such concerns, biodegradable plastics – plastics that can break down or “biodegrade” – have been in development since the end of the last century, to achieve similar usage and convenience of traditional plastics, but with the goal of breaking down quickly and harmlessly. As the global production of biodegradable plastics increases – from 1.5 million tonnes in 2023 to almost 5.3 million tonnes in 2028 – it is critical that the impacts of these materials on the environment be understood. As such, a 12-week study was conducted in the laboratory in PML’s Mesocosm, a facility that enables scientists to conduct research in a controlled aquatic environment to closely simulate natural conditions. Read full article here: https://bit.ly/49fjkR5 Subscribe to the Work Boat World newsletter – https://bit.ly/3PlDbEe

FEATURE: A new study by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in the UK investigates what happens when biodegradable plastics enter the ocean, and whether these increasingly popular alternatives to conventional plastics are safer for marine ecosystems, or whether they come with their own risks. When the first full synthetic plastic was invented in 1906, widespread use of the material for consumer products soon arose in the post-war period. Plastic was cheaper to produce than the more expensive paper, glass, and metal materials used in throwaway items – such as consumer packaging – and was also stronger, lighter, safer and more durable. However, the properties of plastic that make it such an attractive material, such as durability and strength, also make it a lasting problem once it reaches the end of its useful life. Some types of plastic can take thousands of years to degrade, and it is estimated that a truckload of plastic enters the ocean every minute. In response to such concerns, biodegradable plastics – plastics that can break down or “biodegrade” – have been in development since the end of the last century, to achieve similar usage and convenience of traditional plastics, but with the goal of breaking down quickly and harmlessly. As the global production of biodegradable plastics increases – from 1.5 million tonnes in 2023 to almost 5.3 million tonnes in 2028 – it is critical that the impacts of these materials on the environment be understood. As such, a 12-week study was conducted in the laboratory in PML’s Mesocosm, a facility that enables scientists to conduct research in a controlled aquatic environment to closely simulate natural conditions. Read full article here: https://bit.ly/49fjkR5 Subscribe to the Work Boat World newsletter – https://bit.ly/3PlDbEe

Biodegradable Potato Starch Glue: A Sustainable Innovation for Packaging and Beyond In the search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic adhesives, biodegradable glues derived from sidestream potato starch have gained considerable attention. Traditionally, synthetic glues, commonly used in paper packaging, are made from polymers that do not break down naturally, contributing to environmental pollution. The increasing demand for sustainable goods, along with stricter regulations on plastic use, has driven industries to explore greener adhesive options. What Makes a Glue Biodegradable?Biodegradable adhesives are those that naturally decompose over time into harmless substances like carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. According to the Duynie Group, an expert in the field, potato starch, along with corn and wheat starch, offers a renewable and biodegradable base for adhesives. What sets sidestream potato starch apart is that it comes as a byproduct of French fry and potato chip production, making it an even more sustainable choice by reducing waste from the food industry. To qualify as biodegradable, only 20% of the product needs to break down naturally, though many biodeg... https://lnkd.in/eqyU2XZR

#environment #biodegradable #plastic Although recycle and reuse should be top priority, solutions such as this and PLA ( poly lactic acid by #thyssenkruppuhde) of polymers which are biodegradable go a long way. https://lnkd.in/dcDGWE7K

Now is the time to adopt biodegradable plastics to avert an environmental disaster People around the world are now realising that “reduce, re-use, recycle” is not going to solve the problem of plastic, and that biodegradable technology is the only way to prevent the accumulation of plastic products and plastic fragments in the open environment. That solution has been with us for decades and was developed by Professor Gerald Scott. He and his team called it oxo-biodegradable, because it degrades first by oxidation and then when its molecular weight has been reduced to 5,000 Daltons or thereabouts it has ceased to be a plastic and is consumed by the bacteria, leaving no microplastics or toxicity. Given there is so much confusion as to what is compostable, reusable, or recyclable plastic, clarity is needed now more than ever. Legislators the world over are conflating the terms and the technologies and only ever coming to the conclusion that the only solution is to ban plastics no matter its production. This article explores these issues and explain in detail why biodegradable is the way to go. https://lnkd.in/ebip43i7