Polylactide (PLA):
Made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane.
Can be degraded under industrial composting conditions.
Commonly used in packaging and disposable products.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA):
Produced naturally by bacteria during fermentation of organic matter.
Can degrade in both marine and terrestrial environments and in fresh water.
Used in packaging, agricultural materials and medical devices.
PBAT (Polybutylene adipate terephthalate):
A synthetic biodegradable plastic often combined with PLA.
Biodegradable in soil and used in agriculture, e.g. for crop covers.
Benefits of biodegradable plastics
- Reduces microplastic pollution: Biodegradable plastics break down into harmless substances under the right conditions, reducing the risk of long-term contamination.
- Closed system applications: The materials work well in controlled systems, such as industrial composting or agriculture where degradation can be managed effectively.
- Reducing dependence on fossil raw materials: Many biodegradable plastics are bio-based, reducing the climate impact of raw material production.
