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HomeIndustry InsightsUS Researchers Unveil Record-Breaking Bioplastic That Rapidly Degrades in Seawater

US Researchers Unveil Record-Breaking Bioplastic That Rapidly Degrades in Seawater

2024-10-31
US researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts have announced a significant breakthrough, claiming to have discovered the fastest-degrading bioplastic to date, a modified form of cellulose diacetate (CDA) derived from wood pulp. The research team published their findings in ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, highlighting CDA's potential as a viable packaging material with enhanced environmental properties.

Collin Ward, an associate scientist at WHOI, shared with *Packaging Insights* how simple modifications, like adding small air pores (or “foaming”), can boost CDA's degradation rate by up to 15 times compared to solid forms of the material. "This modification makes CDA ideal for packaging, not only due to its plant-based origin but also because it can break down effectively in home and industrial composting environments," Ward noted.


The study simulated natural marine conditions by using tanks of flowing seawater, which allowed the team to assess the impact of environmental variables on CDA’s breakdown. After 36 weeks, foamed CDA samples had lost between 65% and 70% of their mass, far outpacing the durability of traditional plastics like polystyrene, which showed no degradation over the same period. This rapid breakdown offers a promising alternative to persistent plastics currently used in packaging.


Earlier studies by the team had also examined the decomposition of various materials in seawater, including paper, solid CDA, and foamed CDA. Results indicated that foamed CDA degrades up to 190% faster than its solid form, making it highly suitable for single-use items like straws and trays.


Ward emphasized that CDA foam packaging is already in use, such as in protein trays found in grocery stores, and is set to expand to other types of packaging. Researchers are now focused on optimizing the degradation rates of CDA foams by studying pore characteristics like size and shape, which could further enhance the material's versatility across various packaging applications.


Source: Packaging Insights

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