Programmed biodegradation of polymer blends and composites for applications in agriculture and horticulture

Description

Biodegradable polymers are often proposed as a strategy to reduce the accumulation of plastic products and microplastics in the open environment. An important aspect for successful market implementation of products made from biodegradable polymers is the ability to program the biodegradation characteristics to match with the product requirements during use ánd end-of-life (EOL). This presentation shows how biodegradable polymer blends and composites can be designed and processed to match both their functional and EOL requirements. New polymer formulations based on poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were developed and assessed on their processability and functionality for applications in agriculture and horticulture [1], [2]. Processing was demonstrated on laboratory and pilot scale via twin-screw extrusion, injection moulding, film blowing and net extrusion yielding demonstration products for agricultural netting, growbags and plant propagation products. The functionality of these demonstration products was subsequently assessed during real-life greenhouse cultivation trials. In these trials it was shown that products made from these polymers retained their full mechanical integrity during use and that there is no impact on crop cultivation when biodegradable polymers are used. Finally, biodegradation testing shows that after crop harvest these products can be successfully processed via industrial composting routes or fully biodegrade in the soil in which they are placed without the accumulation of persistent microplastics.

1. van der Zee, M., Zijlstra, M., Kuijpers, L. J., Hilhorst, M., Molenveld, K., & Post, W. (2024). The effect of biodegradable polymer blending on the disintegration rate of PHBV, PBS and PLA in soil. Polymer Testing, 140, Article 108601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2024.108601

2. Post, W., Kuijpers, L. J., Zijlstra, M., Van Der Zee, M., & Molenveld, K. (2021). Effect of Mineral Fillers on the Mechanical Properties of Commercially Available Biodegradable Polymers. Polymers, 13(3), 1-14. Article 394. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13030394

Period	25 Jun 2025
Event title	EPF European Polymer Congress
Event type	Conference/symposium
Location	Groningen, NetherlandsShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International