Evaluating and accelerating anaerobic biodegradation of next-generation bioplastics
Ruoyu Chu
School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland
The surge in plastic production has led to a severe shortage of fossil resources and heightened environmental pollution. This has driven efforts to replace fossil fuel-based plastics with biodegradable alternatives. However, biodegradable plastics alone cannot solve plastic pollution and are often considered a last resort, especially when recycling is bolstered by innovation and funding.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) presents a promising waste management solution. It can be implemented on both small and large scales, converting waste into biogas for electricity or fuel, and digestate for fertiliser. However, one of the challenges of biodegradable plastics that are suitable for thin films, such as polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), is that they have poor anaerobic biodegradability. Blending PBAT with other polymers like poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV – a type of PHA) may enhance biodegradation and material properties. This research aims to understand how PBAT/PHBV blends degrade in AD.
This project is developed in partnership with Kimberly-Clark to advance the technology to continue to reduce our environmental footprint and create more sustainable products
