Biodegradation of Polymeric Materials

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the current knowledge on the biodegradability of polymeric materials, in particular in relation to degradation under environmental conditions. The significance of defining ‘biodegradation’ and related terms, and complexities associated with the issue are discussed followed by the different aspects of assessing the potential, the rate, and the degree of biodegradation of polymeric materials. Particular attention is given to the ways for demonstrating complete mineralisation to gasses (such as carbon dioxide and methane), water and possibly microbial biomass. The presented overview of testing methods makes clear that there is no such thing as a single optimal method for determining biodegradation of polymeric materials. First of all, biodegradation of a material is not only determined by the chemical composition and corresponding physical properties; the degradation environment in which the material is exposed also affects the rate and degree of biodegradation. Furthermore, the method or test to be used depends on what information is requested. Therefore, one should always consider why a particular polymeric material should be (or not be) biodegradable when contemplating how to assess its biodegradability.