With The Progress Of Degradable Plastics Technology, Can The Garment Industry Benefit From It?

Degradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics synthesized by microorganisms, referred to as bio plastics, including biological polyester, biological cellulose, polysaccharides and polyamino acids, are a kind of plastic which can be completely degraded by microorganisms in nature.

Animal and vegetable fat or glycogen stored in microorganism is a kind of aliphatic polyester, called biological polyester, which is a nutriment of microorganism.

When carbon free sources exist, these polyesters can be decomposed into acetyl coenzymes as energy sources for life activities.

Polylactic acid (PLA), also known as polylactide, is chemically synthesized from lactic acid produced by microbial fermentation products.

After use, it can automatically degrade and will not pollute the environment.

Polylactic acid can be processed into fibers and films with excellent mechanical properties. The strength of PLA is almost the same as that of nylon fiber and polyester fiber.

Polylactide can be hydrolyzed into lactic acid and acetic acid in organism, and can be metabolized into CO2 and H2O by enzymes.

Japan and the United States have used polylactic acid plastics to form surgical sutures, artificial bones and artificial skins.

Polylactic acid is also used in the production of packaging containers, agricultural film, sportswear and bedding, etc.

Starch plastics

Starch containing more than 90%, and other components added can also be completely degraded. At present, Japanese Sumitomo Business Corporation, American Wamer-Lamber company, Italy Ferrizz company and so on claim to have successfully studied starch containing 90% to 100% starch, which is completely biodegradable in January to 1 years without leaving any traces and pollution-free, and can be used to manufacture various containers, bottles, cans, films and garbage bags.

The principle of the production of starch plastics is to make starch molecules disordered and form starch resins with thermoplastic properties, so it is also called thermoplastic starch plastics.

Its molding process can continue to use traditional plastic processing equipment.

The potential advantage of using starch as raw material to develop biodegradable plastics is that starch has complete biodegradability in various environments. After degradation or ashing of the starch molecules, the starch forms carbon dioxide gas, which does not cause harm to soil or air. Suitable technology can be used to make starch thermoplastic after reaching its mechanical properties for making plastic materials. Starch is a renewable resource, and the exploitation of starch is conducive to the development of rural economy.

It should be noted that most of the starch plastics currently produced in our country are filled with starch plastics, that is, adding a certain proportion of starch in the non biodegradable polymer materials, resulting in the breakdown of the physical properties of the whole material through the biodegradation of starch, resulting in a large number of end groups exposed to oxidative degradation. However, the PE and PVC in the remaining parts of the "collapse" can not be degraded and remain in the soil.

Two. Photodegradable plastics

Photodegradable plastics are plastics that can be degraded under the action of light.

(1) examples of Photodegradable Plastics

According to the manufacturing method, the photodegradable plastics can be divided into synthetic degradable plastics and added degradable plastics.

A, ethylene / carbon monoxide copolymer (E/CO)

Photodegradation is characterized by main strand breaks.

The rate and degree of photodegradation of E/CO are related to the amount of ketone group contained in the chain. The higher the content, the faster the degradation rate and the greater the degree of degradation.

Scientists in Texas in the US have conducted outdoor exposure experiments on E/CO. In sunny June, E/CO can be degraded in a few days.

B, vinyl / vinyl ketone copolymer (Ecolyte)

The ketones on the side chain of Ecolyte molecules can be decomposed under the action of natural light.

The photodegradability of Ecolyte is better than that of E/CO, but the cost is higher.

The disadvantage of these polymers is that they begin to undergo degradation once they see light, and there is almost no induction period.

(2) added photodegradable plastics

Addition of a small amount of photosensitizers to the polymers is a photocatalytic degradation catalyst at low concentration, which is irradiated by sunlight (Zi Waiguang), resulting in the breakage of polyolefin polymers.

Adding photosensitizers such as ketones and amines to PE and PP polymers can achieve better photodegradability.

The addition of photo degradable plastics has the advantages of low cost, simple production process, and good effect in covering plastic film.

However, the degradation of the exposed surface is more complete and the degradation in the soil is poor.

The degradation induction period of this kind of photodegradable plastics can be controlled for more than two months.

But the degradation time is poor.

Inspiration from the clothing industry

Degradable plastic is clean, pollution-free and environmentally friendly. If it can be applied to clothing shoes and hats, it will be a revolutionary moment.

Nowadays, there is a great demand for disposable clothing. This is a business opportunity.

And how to achieve the same effect as traditional clothing is the direction for the apparel industry to strive for.

Disposable environmental protection clothing will lead fashion and create brilliant.

I believe that degradable plastics will bring more inspiration to the garment industry.