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The effect of temperature on the biodegradation of different types of packaging materials under test conditions
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Researchers tested how temperature affects the biodegradation of different packaging materials under standardized laboratory conditions, finding significant differences between conventional and biodegradable plastics. Understanding temperature effects on plastic biodegradation is important for setting realistic standards for compostable and biodegradable products.
The development of civilization contributed to the exponential growth in the production of plastics. Policy of the, so-called, “European Green Deal” places particular emphasis on reducing the use of plastics through various mechanisms, including their reuse, recycling and, in particular, the development of new biodegradable and compostable plastics. In order to check if plastics are suitable for biodegradability and compostability they must undergo a series of tests in accordance with applicable standards. The biodegradation test procedures are very general and allow for the use of different temperatures of the biodegradation process in the test. The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of temperature on the biodegradation process of selected packaging materials. The obtained results show a significant influence of the temperature of the biodegradation process of all 3 tested types of packaging materials: oxy-biodegradable, corn starch and paper. Statistically significant differences in the biodegradation rate of the tested packaging materials were demonstrated in as low as 40°C, despite the low intensity of the process. As the process temperature increased to 45 and 50°C, a statistically significant increase in CO2 productions was recorded. CO2 is produced by the degradation of polymers and is an indicator for this process. At 50°C, the highest decomposition rate, resulting in the highest CO2 production, was recorded in the case of corn starch films. Oxy-biodegradable material showed worst degradation potential what excludes it from composting processes.
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