Conventional plastics take hundreds of years to fully degrade in the natural environment, which can be hazardous to humans and the environment. Agriculturally-derived materials, like bacterial polyesters, polysaccharides, lipids and proteins, may act as renewable and biodegradable substitutes for conventional plastics. Biodegradability rates, mechanical properties, and barrier characteristics were compared among leading naturally-derived packaging materials. Based on this data, we identified materials with improved environmental impacts that can substitute for conventional packaging in food and consumer products.

Biobased and biodegradable packaging materials

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.