Revealing factors influencing polymer degradation with rank-based machine learning

The efficient treatment of polymer waste is a major challenge for marine sustainability. It is useful to reveal the factors that dominate the degradability of polymer materials for developing polymer materials in the future. The small number of available datasets on degradability and the diversity of their experimental means and conditions hinder large-scale analysis. In this study, we have developed a platform for evaluating the degradability of polymers that is suitable for such data, using a rank-based machine learning technique based on RankSVM. We then made a ranking model to evaluate the degradability of polymers, integrating three datasets on the degradability of polymers that are measured by different means and conditions. Analysis of this ranking model with a decision tree revealed factors that dominate the degradability of polymers.

Circular Economy Insights on the Suitability of New Tri-Layer Compostable Packaging Films after Degradation in Storage Conditions

The environmental degradation of the films used in packaging is a key factor in their commercial use. Industrial and academic research is aimed at obtaining materials that have degradation features that ensure their eco-sustainability but, at the same time, preserve their use properties during storage and distribution periods. This study analyzes the degradability behavior over time of commercial packaging that meets the requirements of the UNE 13432 standard and the prEN 17427 (2020) home composting certification requirements under standard storage conditions. The study attempts to provide insight into the durability of the films under standard storage conditions, verifying that this type of packaging has a useful life of more than 12 months and that after this storage period it still retains the usability properties for which it was conceived. The analyzed sample has been manufactured using a three-layer technology under some commercial formulations based on PBAT + STARCH + PLA and has been analyzed monthly for 12 consecutive months. The macroscopic monitoring of the degradation of the sample has been carried out through the evolution of the mechanical properties and the quantification of the color changes (very important in films) via colorimetry. The nature of the observed variations has been justified at the microstructural level from the data obtained in calorimetric analysis (DSC) and from the characterization using FTIR. The results indicate a loss of properties in the tensile, elongation and impact tests and a behavior of stability or improvement in the tear properties of the film. Analyzing the microstructural changes, it is observed that the degradation of a hydrolytic and thermo-oxidative type occurs in the amorphous part of the film. The conclusion of this study is that the proposed packaging, focused on domestic composting and stored under standard conditions, has a useful life of more than 12 months. This period should be sufficient to cover the stages of production, storage and final use.

A comprehensive review on recent advancements in biodegradation and sustainable management of biopolymers

Recent years have seen upsurge in plastic manufacturing and its utilization in various fields, such as, packaging, household goods, medical applications, and beauty products. Due to various adverse impacts imposed by synthetic plastics on the health of living well-being and the environment, the biopolymers have been emerged out an alternative. Although, the biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are entirely degradable. However, the other polymers, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA) are only partially degradable and often not biosynthesized. Biodegradation of the polymers using microorganisms is considered an effective bioremediation approach. Biodegradation can be performed in aerobic and anaerobic environments. In this context, the present review discusses the biopolymer production, their persistence in the environment, aerobic biodegradation, anaerobic biodegradation, challenges associated with biodegradation and future perspectives. In addition, this review discusses the advancement in the technologies associated with biopolymer production, biodegradation, and their biodegradation standard in different environmental settings. Furthermore, differences in the degradation condition in the laboratory as well as on-site are discussed.

Sustainable Value Chain of Industrial Biocomposite Consumption: Influence of COVID-19 and Consumer Behavior

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most unprecedented crises of recent decades with a global effect on society and the economy. It has triggered changes in the behavior and consumption patterns of both final consumer and industrial consumers. The consumption patterns of industrial consumers are also influenced by changes in consumer values, environmental regulations, and technological developments. One of the technological highlights of the last decade is biocomposite materials being increasingly used by the packaging industry. The pandemic has highlighted the problems and challenges of the development of biocomposites to adapt to new market conditions. This study aims to investigate the industrial consumption of biocomposite materials and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the main stages of the value chain of sustainable industrial consumption of biocomposites. The research results reveal there is a growing interest in the use of biocomposites. Suppliers and processors of raw materials are being encouraged to optimize and adapt cleaner production processes in the sustainable transition pathway. The study highlights the positive impact of COVID-19 on the feedstock production, raw material processing, and packaging manufacturing stages of the value chain as well as the neutral impact on the product manufacturing stage and negative impact on the retail stage. The companies willing to move toward the sustainable industrial chain have to incorporate economic, environmental, social, stakeholder, volunteer, resilience, and long-term directions within their strategies.

Lacerda T. Monomers and Macromolecular Materials from Renewable Resources: State of the Art and Perspectives

A progressively increasing concern about the environmental impacts of the whole polymer industry has boosted the design of less aggressive technologies that allow for the maximum use of carbon atoms, and reduced dependence on the fossil platform. Progresses related to the former approach are mostly based on the concept of the circular economy, which aims at a thorough use of raw materials, from production to disposal. The latter, however, has been considered a priority nowadays, as short-term biological processes can efficiently provide a myriad of chemicals for the polymer industry. Polymers from renewable resources are widely established in research and technology facilities from all over the world, and a broader consolidation of such materials is expected in a near future. Herein, an up-to-date overview of the most recent and relevant contributions dedicated to the production of monomers and polymers from biomass is presented. We provide some basic issues related to the preparation of polymers from renewable resources to discuss ongoing strategies that can be used to achieve original polymers and systems thereof.