BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING MATERIALS SYNTHESIS MODIFICATION & ENVIRONMENTAL FATE & IMPACT

Objective

Polymers have been synthesised by the ring-opening polymerization of beta-butyrolactones or cyclic anhydrosulphites. Both the homopolymers and copolymers of these monomers with caprolactone or valeroactone have been prepared and characterised for use as potential biodegradable materials. In addition to the synthesis of novel materials, existing materials such as PHB-HV have been modified either by blending with cheaper materials or by transesterification reactions. Methods have been developed for the assessment of the physical and biological properties of the polymers. These methods have been directed towards both long-term and short-term assessment of the stability of the polymers in aqueous environments.
This proposal addresses the problems associated with the production of polymers as potential mass commodity biodegradable materials for packaging.

The three principal areas of study in this proposal will be:

A. Synthesis. A number of routes will be studied for the generation of a range of polymers and copolymers that are linear polyesters of controlled architecture.

These will be used in a series of further studies to determine the structural factors that control environmental degradation, whilst the polymer remains hydrolytically stable.

B. Modification. Blending, transesterification and plasma and plasma techniques will be used to modify existing and novel materials to control the rate and efficiency of biodegradation.

C. Environmental degradation. The rate efficiency and decay of physical properties during any biodegradability will be assessed using a waste water screening system.

The products formed during these processes will also be established. Concern will be given to determine the toxicity of any materials produced and the the products of biodegradation.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › water treatment processes › wastewater treatment processes
• natural sciences › chemical sciences › polymer sciences

Programme(s)

• FP3-BRITE/EURAM 2 - Specific programme (EEC) of research and technological development in the field of industrial and materials technologies, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 1.5.1 - Packaging materials

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

ASTON UNIVERSITY

Address

Aston Triangle
Birmingham
United Kingdom

Participants (4)

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

France

Address

15 Avenue Charles Flahault
34060 Montpellier

Universität Stuttgart

Germany

Address

Bandtäle 1
70569 Stuttgart

Universität Stuttgart

Germany

Address

Pfaffenwaldring 32
70569 Stuttgart

Université de Montpellier II (Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc)

France

Address

Place Eugène Bataillon
34095 Montpellier