Biodegradable

plastics

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika

 Definisi (1)

Degradation: ... “an irreversible process leading to a

significant change of the structure of a material, typically
characterized by a loss of properties (e.g. integrity, molecular
weight or structure, mechanical strength) and/or fragmentation.
Degradation is affected by environmental conditions and
proceeds over a period of time comprising one or more steps.”

Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

Introduction
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to 2be a good altern
conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegrad
plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situ
 Definisi (2)

Degradable Plastic: “A plastic designed to undergo significant

change in its chemical structure under specific environmental
conditions, resulting in a loss of some properties that may be
measured by standard methods appropriate to the plastic and
the application.”

àThere are no requirements that these plastics have to

degrade from natural processes or any other criteria.

àA residue is always left behind from degradable plastics.

àDegradable plastics are further categorized based on the
method of degradation. Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

Introduction
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to 3be a good altern
conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegrad
plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situ
 Definisi (3)

Biodegradable Plastic: “A degradable plastic in which the

degradation results from the action of naturally occurring
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae.”

à Biodegradable plastics must biodegrade in specific

environments such as soil, compost, or marine environments.

àThere is no regulation addressing toxic residue, and no

specific time requirement for degradation.

Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

Introduction
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to 4be a good altern
conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegrad
plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situ
 Definisi (4)

§  Photodegradable Plastic: “... degradation results from the

action of natural daylight.”

§  Oxidatively Degradable Plastic: “...degradation results

from oxidation.”

§  Hydrolytically Degradable Plastic: “...degradation results

from hydrolysis.” (e.g. breakdown in water).

Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

Introduction
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to 5be a good altern
conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegrad
plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situ
 Definisi (5)

Biobased: “an organic material in which carbon is derived from

a renewable resource via biological processes. Biobased
materials include all plant and animal mass derived from CO2
recently fixed via photosynthesis, per definition of a renewable
resource.”

Products defined as “biobased” can vary in content from 100%

biologically based to a combination of petroleum and
biologically based materials. Furthermore, even if a product is
100% biologically based, it is not necessarily biodegradable or
compostable. Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

Introduction
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to 6be a good altern
conventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegrad
plastics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situ
 36

Biodegradation
Biodegradable Plastics
by Emma Seigel, with Lisa Barlow

roduction
Biodegradable products, including packaging, appear to be a good alternative to
ventional plastics. In an ideal situation, it appears that the cons of biodegradable
stics far outweigh those of conventional plastics. However, in a practical situation,
degradables may or may not be the best solution depending on numerous factors such
how the products are used, how they are disposed of, and how the waste is managed.
e history of biodegradable plastic products started out badly. The first generation of
radable plastics, polyolefin-starch materials, did not degrade as claimed. 1 Over a 16
nth period in theDepending
early 1990s, 48 on thelegal
separate type of were
actions biodegradation taking
taken for misleading or
place, this process Figure 1. This figure shows the first step of biodegradation. Depending on the type of
eitful environmental advertising. The highestisnumber
initiated
these by heat,
actions were moisture,
on claims of
biodegradation taking place, this process is initiated by heat, moisture, microbial
microbial
degradable plastics and on theenzymes, or other
use of the terms environmental
“biodegradable” factors 2 enzymes, or other environmental factors. 5
and “recyclable.”
ce that time, universal standards have been developed by the American Society for
Figure 1. This figure shows the first step of biodegradation. Depending on the type of
ting and Materials (ASTM), new materials have been introduced, and a compostable
biodegradation taking place, this process is initiated by heat, moisture, microbial
o has been developed to guide consumers in their decision-making. The
enzymes, or other environmental factors. 5
plementation of disposal and treatment systems for biodegradable and compostable
stic products creates unique challenges. Careful consideration of products and
plementation is important prior to program initiation.
The University of Colorado is considering biodegradable alternatives to
ventional plastics in their Grab-n-Go venues. Lauren Heising, Kerry Paterson, and
er members of Dining Services at CU have requested research and information on
degradable packaging in order to make informed purchasing decisions and make
gress in their commitment to a sustainable future.
The short carbon chains pass through the cell walls
jective of the bacteria or microbes and are used as an
The objectiveenergy source.
of this project This the
is to review is current
biodegradation, when the
standards for biodegradable
carbon
compostable plastic chains
products as theyare used
relate aspackaging
to food a food andsource
bags. and are
nsideration of theconverted
effects that biodegradables
into water, have on conventional
biomass, recycling
and carbon streams,
dioxide
dfills, and waste disposal systems is crucial when deciding on packaging options. Like
or methane.
ny Universities reaching for more sustainable practices, CU is interested in the status
compostable plastics from renewable feedstocks. Overall, biodegradable alternatives Figure 2. This figure shows the second step which takes place when the short carbon
2011 to a waste problem; the best are certified compostable and are
not an easy solution Bidhari pass through the cell walls of the bacteria or microbes and are used7as an energy
Pidhatika
chains
ended to be composted in municipal facilities. The information is presented in the source. This is biodegradation, when the carbon chains are used as a food source and are
6
owing order: terminology, compostability, landfilling, and biodegradable/compostableFigure
converted into figure
2. This water, shows
biomass,
theand carbon
second stepdioxide
which or methane.
takes place when the short carbon
 able whether they could make a significant con
volume reduction within a realistic timescale. In
of landfill sites the materials are compacted a
How to make degradable plastics?over so that the conditions necessary for biode
moisture, oxygen and the right kind of microorga
in short supply. The effect of purely photodegra
1. Memodifikasi polimer pembentuk plastik, dengan
tics on menambahkan
landfill volume is also debatable, as the
normally be exposed to sunlight long enough
degradability characteristics (gugus-gugus kimia yang mudah
decomposition.
There are, however, a number of good reasons
terdegradasi) ke dalam rantai-rantai polimer.plastics degradable. The first is to tackle the
Contoh: membuat polimer yang mengandung gugus
* Biodegradable carbonyl,
plastics, 1992, 54 pp, A4, ISBN 0
Copies are available from Rapra Technology Ltd
misalnya mengkombinasi gugus keton carbonyl dengan
Shrewsbury, PE, PS,
Shropshire SY4atau
4NR, UK. Tel:
250383. Fax." ÷ 44 (0)939 251118.
PP. Gugus carbonyl akan terdegradasi ketika diradiasi
The Rapra review dengan sinar
first defines the different type
able plastics currently available and goes on to d
UV. mechanisms of their degradation and examine t
and possible future applications. A s u m m a r y is
2. Menambahkan additif yang mudah terdegradasi. Additif
commercial tersebut
degradable akanand the mark
plastics
materials is discussed. The final chapter looks at
mengkatalisasi rusaknya rantai polimer (chain breakdown)
constraints on the use of setelah
degradable plastics,
economics involved, legislation and their compa
radiasi UV atau digestion oleh mikroba. current waste management systems. An Append
a glossary of the terms used, summarizes the ma
abledalam
Contoh: menambahkan starch sebagai filler ke products currently on the market and pro
polimer.
mation on their suppliers.

MATERIALS & DESIGN Vol. 13 No. 5 1992

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 8
 The technology of degradation

1.  Physical: wear, tear, sinar matahari.

2.  Chemical: enzym.
3.  Biological: consumed by microorganisms.

Pendekatan teknis: pengembangan degradable plastics dengan

mengkombinasikan prinsip photodegradation dan biodegradation.
Kebanyakan plastik tahan serangan mikrobia, tetapi tidak tahan UV atau
sinar matahari.

Oleh karena itu, strateginya: memasukkan aditif atau gugus fungsional

yang menyebabkan rantai polimer terdegradasi menjadi fragment-
fragment kecil à polimer kehilangan kekuatan fisiknya à terdisintegrasi.

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 9

 Photodegradants

Photodegradants (additif yang dapat menyebabkan photodegradation):

organometallic complexes, contoh: nickel and ferric
dibutyldithiocarbamates which uses the iron complex as a sensitizer and
the nickel as a stabilizer.

Sistem aditif dikembangkan sedemikian rupa sehingga degradasi akan

berlanjut meskipun sumber UV dihilangkan (dalam kondisi gelap, misalnya
setelah penguburan sampah).

Hal di atas tidak mungkin terjadi pada polimer yang hanya mengandung
gugus carbonyl. Dalam kasus ini, degradasi akan berhenti/terputus ketika
UV hilang.

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 10

 Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradants: bacteria, fungi.

Katalisator: enzym yang diproduksi oleh mikrobia.

Kecepatannya tergantung dari kondisi lingkungan: suhu, pH, kelembaban,

oksigen, sifat alami mikrobia, tapi juga BM dari polimer (semakin rendah
BM, aktivitas mikrobia meningkat). BM yang pas untuk pertumbuhan
mikrobia: 500-2000 g/mol.

Pembuatan:
-dengan menggunakan starch sebagai filler (kadang sampai 90% dari
kandungan seluruh polimer).
-dengan mensintesa polimer dengan bantuan bacteria. Contoh:
polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyvalerate yang mempunyai sifat-sifat
mirip seperti polyethylene and polypropylene. Those 'biopolymers' do not
use additives but instead are produced from bacteria, making them more
attractive as food to other microorganisms.

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 11

 Aplikasi biodegradable plastics

-Bidang kedokteran

-Bidang pertanian: mulch (seperti kompos) yang dicampur di tanah, untuk

mengurangi kerusakan tanaman karena insect, meningkatkan suhu tanah,
menjaga kelembaban.

-Packaging

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 12

 Contoh-contoh

Biopol, is a linear polyester copolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and

polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) and is produced by the fermentation of sugars using
naturally occurring bacteria.

2011 Bidhari Pidhatika 13

 Biodegradable plastics

Table 3 Who's who in degradable plastics Dow Chemlcel Co., Ethylene-carbon mo- Used for beverage can
2020 Willard House, noxide copolymer retaining rings

Organization Description
Contoh-contoh
Comments
Dow Center, Midland, MI
48674, USA Licensing Ecolyte PS
technology from Envir-
Photodegradable PS
loose-fill packaging
AgrI-Tech Industries, Ethylene acrylic acid US Dept of Agriculture omer Enterprises
Champaign, IL copolymer, blended with technology, 45-50% Du Pont Co., Polymer Ethylene-carbon Beverage can retaining
gelatinized starch starch loading possible Products Department, monoxide copolymer rings
Air Products & Chemi- Vinex polyvinyl alcohol Water-soluble polymers Barley Mill Plaza, Wilm-
cals. 7201 Hamilton ington, DE, USA
Boulevard, Allentown, Ecochem (DuPont/Con Biodegradable polymers Products being developed
PA 18195, USA Agra) from lactic acid for packaging
American Cyanamid. Dexon polyglycolate Medical application as applications
Polymer Products Div., 1 suture material
Envlromer Entarprlses, Eco/yte masterbatchers Ketone carbonyl copoly-
Cyanamid Plaza,
PO Box 90, Leominster, for photodegradable merization
Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
MA 01453, USA PE, PP1 PS Degradation ceases when
Ampecet Corp., Poly-grade masterbatch Organometallic additive removed from sunlight
660 White Plains Road, for photodegradability
ICI (see Panel 2) Copolymer of polyhyd- First uses in shampoo
Tarrytown, NY 10591, Poly-grade II Starch plus photodegra-
roxybutyrate and poly- bottles for Wella of
USA dant for biodegradability,
hydroxyvalerate (Biopol) Germany
technology from Archer
Poly-grade III Daniels Midland ITW HI-Cone, Cookham Use ethylene/carbon Pioneered the use of
Combination of I and II, Road, Bracknell, Berk- monoxide copolymers photodegradable plastic
giving photo- and biode- shire, RG12 1RD, UK for six-pack retainers
gradation
Novamont, Italia srl, Via Starch-based material Properties claimed to be
Amylum, NV. Starch-loaded material Starch will make up 5 ~ % Lanzone 4, 1-20123, Mi- containing up to 70% similar to PE
Burchstraat 10, B-9300 of PE films; 10-20% PS lan, Italy starch
Aalst, Belgium products; and 6-12%
HDPE bottles Plasllgone Technolo- Dual organometallic Once degradation
gies, Inc., PC Box additives initiated, will proceed in
Archer Denlels Mid- Polyclean masterbatch, Worldwide licensee of 165618, Miami, FL dark. Used extensively in
land, Co., PC Box 1470, untreated starch and starch technology from 33116, USA Litterless iron complex mulch films
Decatur, IL 62525, USA prodegradant Epron Industries, UK additive for thin PE film More rapid degradation
Argonne National Lab. Biodegradable polylac- Derived from food wastes applications Sold as additive
9700 South Cass Ave- tates - possible use in sus- Princeton Polymer Aromatic ketches and System can be custom
nue, Argonne, IL 60439, tained release of fertilizers Labs, 501 Plainsboro organometallic salts tailored. Development of
USA Road, Plainsboro, NJ products for food
Atlantic International Ecolyte distributor (see Ketone carbonyl copoly- 08536, USA packaging
Group Inc., 2200-C Enviromer Enterprises) merization Alloys of cellulose or
Purdue University, Shelf-stable but readily
Broenig Hwy, Baltimore, starch acetates with PE, degradable in landfills or
MD 21224, USA
PP, PS marine environments
Battelle Institute, eV, Starch-based material Interestin replacing PVC
Rhone-Poulenc. Cerium-based additives Photodegradation of
Am Romerhof 11 64165, containing 90% starch
Specialites Chimique, 88 PE, PP, PS
D-5882 Meinerzhagen 1,
Boulevard des Beiges,
Germany
F-69006 Lyon, France
Belland AG, Konigshof- Swiss patented process Polymer dissolves in water
weg, CH-4500, Strengel- for producing selectively or aqueous base. Can be
St Lawrence Starch Co. Ecostar masterbatch Modified starch system for
Lid, 141 Lakeshore PE fitm
bach, Switzerland soluble - usually acry- precipated as salt and re-
Road, PC Box 1050,
lates cycled without loss of
Port Credit P o s t a l Ecostarplus master- Ecostar plus Swiss-
properties. Strong candi-
Station, Mississauga, batch developed organometallic
date for marine appli-
Ontario, L5G 1E8, complex
cations
Canada
btF GmbH, Austria Polyhydroxybutyrate Uses beet sugar as raw
polymer, similar to ICrs material Union Carbide Corpor- Ethylene-carbon Beverage can retaining
Biopol ation, 39 Old Ridgebury monoxide copolymer for rings
Road, Danbury, CT LDPE
Blologlsche Verpack- Fully biodegradable For packaging of dry 06817, USA
ungsaystame, Franz- polymer, starch-based products Caprolactone polyester Containers for tree
Haas Strasse, A-2900 seedlings
Leobendorf, Austria
University of Massa- Natural polyesters from Material similar to ICrs
Cabot Plastics Interna- Photodegradable Suitable for food ¢husetta, Amherst, MA bacteria Biopol
tional, Specialty Chemi- masterbatch packaging
cals, Avenue des Warner-Lambert C o . , Novon 'bio-plastic' Starch combined with
Pleiades 11, B-1200 Starch-based master- Uses Amylum technology 201 Tabor Road, Morris starch water to produce a
Brussels, Belgium batch Plains, NJ 07950, USA
2011 Bidhari Pidhatika
mouldable thermoplastic
14