Abstract
Polymers are common used in everyday life. For economic reasons and specific properties, they replace traditional materials such as glass, wood or paper. The use of polymeric materials generates waste, whose disposal is difficult. Legislation and pressures on the use of pro-ecological materials have increased interest in biodegradable polymers. Such polymers are polyhydroxyalkanoates. It is also important to use eco-friendly processing additives added to polymeric materials. The most commonly used anti – aging substances are triazine and hindered amine HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers). Most of these substances are considered to be toxic. Therefore, application of natural compounds in polymers is an interesting alternative. Polyphenols of plant origin are compounds that exhibit high reducing properties in oxidation processes. These compounds should protect polymeric materials against negative influence of environmental factors.
Highlights
The problem of storage and disposal of polymer waste, the pressure to replace traditional plastics with environmentally friendly materials and legal provisions, have resulted in the need to search for materials with biodegradable properties
Biodegradable polymers are thermoplastics which can be processed by means of the same methods as synthetic polymers
Biodegradable polymers are divided into two groups: obtained from petrochemical raw materials and obtained from renewable raw materials
Summary
The problem of storage and disposal of polymer waste, the pressure to replace traditional plastics with environmentally friendly materials and legal provisions, have resulted in the need to search for materials with biodegradable properties. Biodegradable polymers are thermoplastics which can be processed by means of the same methods as synthetic polymers They are characterized by good physico-mechanical and physico-chemical properties. In addition to the polymer structure, other factors influence the biodegradation, such as the average molecular weight of the polymer, the presence of unsaturated bonds, the shape of the finished product, environmental conditions, the type of active microorganisms and other [1, 2]. Due to their origin, biodegradable polymers are divided into two groups: obtained from petrochemical raw materials and obtained from renewable raw materials. The second group is often called double-green polymers because they are both biodegradable and derived from renewable raw materials [3, 4]
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