ไทยPolymer resins play a crucial role in manufacturing industries around the world. However, the use of conventional polymer resins, which are mostly made from petroleum, has caused serious environmental problems, such as the accumulation of plastics in nature and the increased generation of greenhouse gases due to improper production and disposal. In an era of increasing awareness of environmental issues and sustainability, biodegradable polymer resins have emerged as a potential new option to reduce the negative impact on the world.
What is Polymer Resin?
Polymer resin refers to a type of polymer material that exists in liquid or semi-solid form and can be molded into a wide variety of products. In the plastics industry, polymer resin is a key raw material used to create everyday products such as plastic bags, packaging films, and electronic components. Most common polymer resins are produced from petroleum, which poses environmental problems when disposed of and accumulates in nature.
On the other hand, biodegradable polymer resin refers to a special type of polymer that can be broken down by natural microorganisms, thus reducing the plastic waste problem in the long run. Examples of biodegradable polymer resin include PLA (Polylactic Acid), which is produced from natural raw materials such as starch or sugarcane, and PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), which is created through microbial fermentation. There is also PBS (Polybutylene Succinate), which is biodegradable and has properties similar to conventional plastics.
The production of biodegradable polymer resins involves a different process than conventional resins. It focuses on using renewable raw materials and creating a molecular structure that allows them to break down and decompose more easily in nature. With these properties, biodegradable polymer resins are an option that meets both functional and environmental responsibility requirements.
Properties and Differences of Biodegradable Polymer Resin
Biodegradable polymer resin has a distinctive feature that sets it apart from conventional polymers: its ability to be rapidly degraded by microorganisms or natural conditions after use. This helps alleviate the problem of plastic waste remaining in the environment for extended periods. This property stems from the material’s chemical structure, which allows it to be completely broken down and converted into organic substances such as water, carbon dioxide, or other organic compounds.
The most popular types of biodegradable polymer resins currently in use include:
- PLA (Polylactic Acid): Made from natural raw materials such as corn starch or sugarcane, this polymer possesses strong and transparent properties, making it ideal for food packaging and single-use products.
- PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates): Produced through microbial fermentation, it is flexible and durable, a biodegradable raw material.
- PBS (Polybutylene Succinate): Highly flexible and biodegradable in soil and water, it is commonly used in the packaging and agricultural industries.
In addition to their biodegradability, these polymer resins are designed to be strong and durable enough for practical applications, such as packaging that requires weight bearing or moisture protection. Although these properties may still be inferior to petroleum-based polymer resins in some cases, developments are ongoing to bridge this gap.
Environmental Impact
The use of biodegradable polymer resins has significant positive environmental impacts compared to conventional petroleum-based polymer resins, which are difficult to biodegrade and take longer to break down in nature. This has led to the accumulation of severe plastic waste in oceans, rivers, and land around the world.
One of the key advantages of biodegradable polymer resins is that they effectively reduce the amount of plastic waste. This is because they can be grown and decomposed by natural microorganisms within a shorter period than conventional plastics. Furthermore, the decomposition process converts the material into safe organic substances, such as water and carbon dioxide, which are then released back into nature in a non-polluting process.
Furthermore, the use of biodegradable polymer resins also reduces greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process, as they are mostly made from natural raw materials such as corn, sugarcane, or other plants that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growth, thus offsetting greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing and decomposition processes. On the other hand, polymer resins made from petroleum have high greenhouse gas emissions and take hundreds of years to decompose.
Applications and Product Examples
Degradable polymer resins are gaining popularity and being used in various industrial sectors due to their environmental friendliness and product efficacy. A prominent application example is the food and beverage packaging sector, which requires safe, lightweight, and biodegradable materials. Examples include food boxes, packaging boxes, and plastic bags designed to be biodegradable and leave no toxic residue.
In addition, biodegradable polymer resins are also used in the agricultural industry, such as mulch and fertilizer packaging, which helps reduce the problem of plastic waste remaining in the soil and promotes the conservation of soil resources, making them fertile and safe for crops.
In the cosmetics and disposable products industries, such as straws, PLA cups are becoming increasingly popular. They not only reduce the perceived impact of plastic use, but also simplify waste disposal and management.
Limitations and Challenges
Although biodegradable polymer resins offer numerous advantages in reducing environmental impacts, they also present limitations and challenges that must be carefully considered to ensure their practical application is sustainable and effective.
First, the higher production costs than conventional plastics due to the use of natural raw materials and a more complex manufacturing process. This results in higher prices for biodegradable polymer resins than conventional resins. This may hinder their widespread adoption, particularly in small-scale industries or applications requiring low costs.
Second, performance limitations include lower resistance to heat, pressure, or humidity than petroleum-based plastics. This makes biodegradable polymer resins unsuitable for certain applications requiring high strength or resistance to harsh environments, such as long-term product packaging or machinery parts.
Furthermore, the degradation of these polymer resins depends on environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and the microbial population at the disposal site. This can lead to materials not degrading completely in unsuitable environments, such as in oxygen-depleted landfills or relatively cold oceans, which reduces their environmental benefits.
Another major challenge is the inadequate waste management and separation systems in many countries. Mixing conventional plastics with biodegradable polymer resins can complicate and disrupt the recycling process. Therefore, proper waste management systems and consumer education are essential to ensure proper separation and management.
Conclusion
Degradable polymer resins represent an important and potentially valuable alternative to traditional polymer materials to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional polymer materials. These products are designed to rapidly break down into organic matter and return to nature, reducing plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions that damage the planet.
Despite some limitations in cost and efficiency, collaboration between the public, private, and public sectors, along with the development of advanced technologies, will help overcome these barriers and promote the adoption of biodegradable polymer resins as part of sustainable production and consumption cycles.
Choosing biodegradable polymer resins not only meets market demands and the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers, but also contributes to creating a cleaner, safer, and more productive world for future generations. Supporting and using these materials is an important step in helping us all contribute to preserving our planet.