13 - Biodegradable Polymers

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Biodegradable polymers cover a vast area of high molecular weight compounds. Usually it is valuable to distinguish between biodegradable polymers of native and of synthetic origin. Native biodegradable polymers are the result of a synthesis developed during millions of years of evolution, leading to tailor-made materials for different applications in nature. These biopolymers include proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids or lipids which show completely different characteristics depending on the situation in which they are used. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are the result of a mere century of research and development. Synthetic polymers susceptible to biodegradation can be of different types, e.g. polymers containing hydrolyzable backbone polyesters. Recent research activity on biodegradable synthetic polymers has often been focused on the simulation of different biopolymers or polymers with degradable backbones, e.g. polyanhydrides, polycarbonates, polylactones, etc. Other concepts in the search for new biodegradable materials include the use of microorganisms which can produce polymers, e.g. poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB; 1) and copolymers of PHB. Difficult synthesis and purification steps leading to low yields are avoided by using microorganisms. In packaging applications, a biodegradable additive is often included as a way to promote environmental degradation e.g. starch in polyethylene (PE).