Page 52 - Plastics News Issue November - 2024
P. 52
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Enhancing Biodegradability
with Foaming Technology
Boosting Material Efficiency and Sustainability
In addition to their biodegradability, foamed bio-
plastics significantly improve material efficiency
by using less raw material to produce the same
volume. This reduction in resource consump-
tion not only lowers production costs but also
decreases the overall environmental footprint.
Therefore, foamed bioplastics, like CDA, become
a preferred choice for industries prioritizing sus-
oaming biodegradable bioplastics offers tainability. Companies that adopt these materials
a revolutionary approach to improving can minimize resource use while maintaining the
Fboth material efficiency and environmen- quality and functionality of their products.
tal impact. By integrating microstructural pores Overcoming Challenges with Traditional Plas-
into bioplastics, manufacturers can significantly tic Foams
reduce environmental persistence while enhanc-
ing the product’s usability. This innovative meth- One of the main challenges with traditional plas-
od holds great potential for various industries, tic foams, such as polystyrene, is their long-term
particularly for applications such as sustainable persistence in the environment. These materials
food packaging. resist degradation and contribute significantly
to pollution in landfills and oceans. In contrast,
Superior Performance of Cellulose Diacetate
(CDA) Foams biodegradable foams like CDA not only degrade
faster but also align with green chemistry prin-
Recent advancements in foamed bioplastics, es- ciples. Additionally, this innovation helps reduce
pecially cellulose diacetate (CDA) foams, have reliance on non-renewable resources, offering a
demonstrated clear benefits over conventional more environmentally responsible alternative.
plastic foams like polystyrene. CDA foams, when Economic and Environmental Impact
tested in marine environments, showed con-
siderably faster degradation rates compared Adopting foamed bioplastics presents signifi-
to polystyrene. After 36 weeks, CDA foams cant societal and economic benefits for com-
lost 65-70% of their mass, a striking difference panies and industries alike. Replacing traditional
compared to polystyrene’s persistence. In fact, foams with biodegradable alternatives, such as
foamed CDA materials degrade about 15 times CDA, could save millions of dollars annually by
faster than their solid counterparts, providing optimizing material use. Moreover, the environ-
a crucial advantage in reducing environmental mental advantages are substantial, with reduced
waste. plastic waste and faster degradation contribut-
52 PLASTICS NEWS November 2024
