Environmental assessment of biodegradable multilayer film derived from carbohydrate polymers

Multilayer films exhibit excellent properties for food packaging. However, existing products are not biodegradable. Conventional plastics, manufactured from fossil fuels, not only consume non-renewable and finite resources, but also impact heavily on waste disposal. For this reason, a new multilayer film has been developed in the Multibio Project for the production of food packaging. In this paper, the environmental impacts of the new biodegradable multilayer film—based on modified starch and polylactic acid (PLA)—and those of the conventional multilayer film—based on PP and PA6—are quantified in the categories of climate change, fossil fuel depletion, acidification and eutrophication. Conventional multilayer film has a 90% higher impact than the Multibio multilayer film. The main difference between the LCA presented and the cited literature is the inventory data obtained in the phase of polymer processing to obtain multilayer film, and the assessment of the disposal phase of the multilayer film wastes.     

Synthesis of a block copolymer of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(ethylene glycol) and its application to biodegradable polymer blends

A block copolymer {P[(R,S)-HB-b-EG]} of atactic poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] {P[(R,S)-HB]} and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of -butyrolactone in the presence of a macroinitiator (PEG/ZnEt₂/H₂O) which had been produced by the reaction of ,-dihydroxy PEG ( _n=3000) with ZnEt₂/H₂O (1/0.6) catalyst. The block copolymer ( _n=10,500, _w/ _n=1.2) was an A-B-A triblock copolymer comprising atactic P[(R,S)-HB] (A) and PEG (B) segments. The miscibility, physical properties, and biodegradability of binary blends of microbial poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] {P[(R)-HB]} with the block copolymer P[(R,S)-HB-b-EG] has been studied. The glass-transition temperature (T _g) data showed that the P[(R)-HB]/P[(R,S)-HB-b-EG] blend was miscible in the amorphous state. The P[(R)-HB] film became flexible and tough by means of blending with P[(R,S)-HB-b-EG] block copolymer. The enzymatic degradation of blend films was carried out at 37°C and pH 7.4 in a 0.1M phosphate solution of an extracellular PHB depolymerase fromAlcaligenes faecalis. The enzymatic degradation took place solely on the surface of the blend films.     

Water vapor permeability of biodegradable polymers

The water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of several biodegradable polymers were evaluated to determine their suitability as water-resistant coatings and to understand WVTR better in terms of polymer structure. Values of WVTR at 25‡C ranged from 13 to 2900 g/m² /day and increased in the order PHBV PLA (cryst.) PLA (amorph.) PCL Bionolle BAK 1095 CAP CA. Values of WVTR were positively correlated with higher polymer solubility parameters, lower crystallinities, and higher free volumes. Although the WVTR of biodegradable polymers are much higher than those of good barrier materials such as low-density polyethylene, they are sufficient for short-term (hours to days) protection of polysaccharide-based materials against water. Product names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by the USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Effects of biodegradable plastic components on metabolism of an estuarine benthos

We examined the metabolic response of an estuarine benthic community to additions of three materials being considered for use in manufacture of biodegradable substitutes for plastics. Diver-collected cores containing benthos were dosed with 59 g/m² of three test materials, cornstarch, a bacterial polyester (PHBV), and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or left undisturbed as controls. Fluxes of dissolved nutrients (ammonia, nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, silica) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were similar in control cores and cores dosed with EVOH during a 1-month test period at 20°C. Fluxes in cores dosed with starch and PHBV differed significantly from controls but not from each other. After 2 weeks of incubation, production of DIC was higher in cores containing starch and PHBV, while efflux of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite was reduced. After 4 weeks of incubation, production of DIC was similar among all treatments and controls, while efflux of ammonia was high in the starch- and PHBV-containing cores compared to controls and cores with EVOH. Fluxes of silica and phosphate were similar in all cores during the experiment. These results indicate that both starch and PHBV are carbon-rich substrates readily metabolized by the benthic community but that their presence significantly alters normal nutrient exchange patterns. This response is expected because of the high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of starch and PHBV and indicates that impacts of these two materials would be similar. However, the high biological oxygen demand of such materials and resulting disturbance of normal nutrient regeneration patterns of the benthos (delayed ammonia efflux and potential stimulation of denitrification) must be considered in developing strategies for their disposal.Paper presented at the Biodegradable Materials and Packaging Conference, September 22–23, 1993, Natick, Massachusetts.     

Biodegradation Behavior of Some Vegetable Oil-Based Polymers

The potential biodegradability of several vegetable oil-based polymers was assessed by respirometry in soil for 60–100 days at temperatures of 30–58°C. Films of soybean oil and linseed oil which were oxidatively polymerized (Co catalyst) on a kraft paper support were 90%–100% mineralized to CO₂ after 70 days at 30°C. Mineralization of polymerized tung oil to CO₂ was much slower than soy or linseed oils. Mineralization of epoxy resins made from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids was rapid while mineralization of similar resins made with a triacid (citric) was slower. There was no significant degradation of polyamine/ESO resins after 100 days at 58°C. Mineralization of the available carbon in vegetable oil polyurethanes and cationically polymerized ESO was less than 7.5% after 70 days at 30°C and 25 days at 55°C compared to 100% for soybean oil. From these results, it appears that triglycerides highly cross-linked with non-degradable linkages are not biodegradable to a significant extent while triglycerides cross-linked with hydrolysable bonds such as esters remain biodegradable.     

Comparison of the weight-loss degradability of various biodegradable plastics under laboratory composting conditions

Eight kinds of biodegradable plastics were compared for their degradability in controlled laboratory composting conditions. A thin film of each plastic was mixed into the composting material, and weight-loss degradability was calculated from the weight changes of the film during composting. It was found that weight-loss degradability strongly depended on the specific kind of biodegradable plastic; two were very high, four moderate, and the remaining two very slight. The most easily degradable plastic degraded by as much as 81.4% over 8 days of composting. By comparing the weight-loss degradability with ultimate degradability, which is defined as a molar ratio of carbon loss as CO₂ to the carbon contained in the biodegradable plastic, the order of the ease of degradation of the biodegradable plastics differed. Received: February 7, 2000 / Accepted April 14, 2000     

Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Able to Grow on the Polyester Amide BAK 1095

The polyester amide BAK 1095 is fully degraded by microorganisms. Bacteria that can grow on this polymer were isolated from various environments, such as freshwater, saltwater, arable land, woodland and compost. The mechanism of polymer degradation was examined using selected isolates. It was discovered that the bacteria selectively cleave the polymer at its ester bonds, releasing low-molecular water-soluble oligoamides. These can then be metabolised by other microorganisms [1, 2, 3]. The isolates were also tested for their ability to break down other ester-containing polymers such as Degranil W 50, a linear polyester urethane urea. Eight of the 12 strains examined were also able to break down this polymer.The isolated microorganisms predominantly belong to the genus Bacillus. Mesophilic, halophilic and thermophilic species were isolated. The studies show that polyester amide-degrading bacteria occur in numerous ecosystems and provide data on the microbial breakdown of random copolymers. Information was also obtained on the mechanism involved in the microbial breakdown of polyester amides.     

Biodegradable Polymers from 5-Hydroxylevulinic Acid: 1. Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(5-hydroxylevulinic acid)

As an attempt to synthesize new biodegradable polymers from renewable cellulose resources, melt polycondensation of 5-hydroxylevulinic acid (5-HLA) was reported for the first time. The resulting product, poly(5-hydroxylevulinic acid) (PHLA), was synthesized and characterized with GPC, FTIR, ¹H NMR and DSC. The in vitro degradation behaviors in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in deionized water (DW) were also examined. The molecular weight of PHLA is not high (several 1,000s), but it possesses unordinary high glass transition temperature (as high as 120 °C). This is very different from existing aliphatic polyesters that usually have T _gs lower than 60 °C. The high T _g is attributed to the formation of inter- and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonds due to a characteristic keto–enol tautomerism equilibrium in the polymer structure. PHLA readily degraded hydrolytically in aqueous media.     

论环保意识与现代化工企业的营销观

回顾了市场营销对企业发展的核心作用；讨论了环保意识的增强对营销活动的影响以及环保法规与经济调控对企业的巨大压力；介绍了适应时代要求的社会环境营销观的内容及对现代化工企业的影响，并对化工企业如何树立新型营销观进行了探讨。     

Biodegradation by Composting of Surface Modified Starch and PVA Blended Films

Several starch/PVA/glycerol polymer blends were prepared by a solution casting technique and examined for biodegradation by composting over 45 days. Within this time frame, the starch and glycerol components were fully degraded, leaving the PVA component essentially intact. The lowest PVA content film (20%) was selected as a polymer with enough PVA to impart important physical characteristics, but also enough starch to be considered biodegradable. The film characteristics were further improved by surface modification with chitosan. This modification did not interfere with the biodegradation of the starch component. Furthermore, there was slight evidence that PVA biodegradation had been initiated in composted, surface modified starch/PVA blends.     

Pseudomonas lemoignei has five poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) (PHA) depolymerase genes: A comparative study of bacterial and eukaryotic PHA depolymerases

Four polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) depolymerases were purified from the culture fluid ofPseudomonas lemoignei: poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), depolymerase A (M _r , 55,000), and PHB depolymerase B (M _r , 67,000) were specific for PHB and copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) as substrates. The third depolymerase additionally hydrolyzed poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV) at high rates (PHV depolymerase;M _r , 54,000). The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the three purified proteins, of a fourth partially purified depolymerase (PHB depolymerase C), and of the PHB depolymerases ofComamonas sp. were determined. Four PHA depolymerase genes ofP. lemoignei (phaZ1,phaZ2,phaZ3, andphaZ4) have been cloned inEscherichia coli, and the nucleotide sequence ofphaZ1 has been determined recently (D. Jendrossek, B. Müller, and H. G. Schlegel,Eur. J. Biochem. 218, 701–710, 1993). In this study the nucleotide sequences ofphaZ2 andphaZ3 were determined.PhaZ1,phaZ2, andphaZ4 were identified to encode PHB depolymerase C, PHB depolymerase B, and PHV depolymerase, respectively.PhaZ3 coded for a novel PHB depolymerase ofP. lemoignei, named PHB depolymerase D. None of the four genes harbored the PHB depolymerase A gene, which is predicted to be encoded by a fifth depolymerase gene ofP. lemoignei (phaZ5) and which has not been cloned yet. The deduced amino acid sequences ofphaZ1–phaZ3 revealed high homologies to each other (68–72%) and medium homologies to the PHB depolymerase gene ofAlcaligenes faecalis T₁ (25–34%). Typical leader peptide amino acid sequences, lipase consensus sequences (Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly), and unusually high proportions of threonine near the C terminus were found in PhaZ1, PhaZ2, and PhaZ3. Considering the biochemical data of the purified proteins and the amino acid sequences, PHA depolymerases ofP. lemoignei are most probably serine hydrolases containing a catalytical triad of Asp, His, and Ser similar to that of lipases. A comparison of biochemical and genetic data of various eubacterial and one eukaryotic PHA depolymerases is provided also.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Second National Meeting, August 19–21, 1993, Chicago, Illinois.     

Toxicity screening of biodegradable polymers. I. Selection and evaluation of cell culture test methods

A screening test method for potential toxicity of biodegradable plastics on humans and the environment was selected and evaluated with samples of cellulose acetate, Bionolle, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (Biopol), and polycaprolactone (Tone polymer). Among the standardin vitro tests using animal cell cultures for the evaluation of biomedical materials, the test by direct contact and the test with extract were examined. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of the cell viability and morphology indicate that the test with extracts can be easily performed, providing reproducible and comparable results for all materials. Using the cell culture test with the extract of sterile samples, an estimation of the toxicity of a new polymeric material can be obtained within a few weeks.     

ISO14000系列环境管理国际标准概述

概述了ISO14000系列环境管理国际标准的内容、分类、特点及其作用。介绍了企业实施该系列标准所应采取的步骤和措施。该系列标准由环境管理体系、环境行为评价、生命周期评估、环境管理、产品标准中的环境因素等系列组成,可指导企业表现正确的环境行为,提升企业的竞争力。     

浅论区域开发环境影响评价的指标体系

论述了区域开发环境影响评价应建立能反映环境可持续性和跨边界性的指标体系，提出了建立该指标体系的原则与方法。     

石门火电厂可持续发展的环境保护措施

介绍了石门火电厂一期工程的生产、环境保护概况和二期工程的建设规模。指出了该厂存在的环境污染问题。从不同层次提出了实现电厂可持续发展的环境保护措施。     

微波诱导催化技术在环境治理中的应用研究

微波诱导催化技术以其快速、高效和无二次污染等特点,日益受到环保研究者的重视。目前,微波诱导催化技术已在大气污染控制、水污染控制及固体废弃物处理与处置等环境治理领域取得了显著效果。阐述了微波诱导催化技术的基本原理、催化反应的催化剂和载体及催化反应的机制,归纳了微波诱导催化技术在环境治理中的应用现况及实例,分析了微波诱导催化技术在实际应用中存在的问题,并提出相应的解决措施,最后对微波诱导催化技术在环境治理领域中的进一步应用进行了展望。     

我国环保产业发展的十大对策建议

为促进环保产业的健康、快速发展,满足生态建设和环境污染治理的需要,确保“十五”目标的顺利实现,提出了营造良好的政策环境、市场环境、推进产业技术进步、建立环保设施运营机制等十大对策措施。     

构建“水-煤-碳”体系 优化煤化工发展

分析了煤化工行业发展的现状及趋势,提出我国现代煤化工发展瓶颈主要是产业发展存在技术风险、产业发展与资源环境的矛盾突出及面临碳减排压力,并提出通过合理构建"水-煤-碳"三大约束指标体系,引导煤化工实现有序发展。     

Mathematical modelling as a tool for environmental evaluation of industrial sectors in Colombia

A general mathematical model has been developed as a tool for environmental evaluation of industrial chemical processes. This model is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and includes a modular and cumulative conceptual approximation. Accordingly, the model considers the potential effects on the environment caused by mass, energy and exergy flows. For environmental loads related with mass flows, two main categories are defined: pollution and perturbation environmental effects. Whereas for the environmental effect associated with energy flows, a factor defined as “energy dissipation” is employed, and similarly for exergy flows, a “exergy destruction” parameter is used. The measurement unit employed throughout the model is expressed in terms of “potential environmental impact units/hour”. As an example study case, the integrated production chain (IPC) for nitric acid production in the Colombian context is evaluated. This particular IPC includes the ammonia production plant, energy plants and main process plant. The results demonstrate that for environmental perturbation effects based on mass flows, the main contribution in the IPC corresponds to the energy plants. In the case of pollution environmental loads, the principal contribution relates to ammonia production. Regarding environmental effects associated with energy flows, the highest “energy dissipation” factor corresponds to the main process, followed in order by the ammonia process. Finally, for the effect denominated as “exergy destruction”, it could be established that Colombian energy plants show the highest contribution in the IPC.     

把污染预防纳入化工过程和产品的研究开发与设计中

介绍了污染预防的概念以及在化工过程和产品的研究开发和设计中考虑污染预防的基本方法。并给出了一些简单实例予以说明。