Plasticized PVC Research Articles

One step beyond for CNSL‐based plasticizers for PVC: Use of cardol

AbstractPoly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a widely employed plastic across diverse industries and is often associated with plasticizers, additives that decrease the inherent rigidity and brittleness of the material. Conventional phthalate‐based plasticizers raise substantial toxicity concerns, encouraging the exploration of bio‐based alternatives. One such alternative is the inedible oil, cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), mainly composed of cardanol and cardol. Recent efforts have focused on developing a cardanol‐based PVC plasticizers but the isolation of cardanol involves time‐consuming, energy‐intensive, and costly steps, limiting its market competitiveness. This study aims to assess for the first time, the efficiency of cardol esters, synthesized using acetic acid and different fatty acids (octanoic acid and myristic acid), in order to evaluate the influence of the alkyl chain on plasticizer properties. The chemical structures of these plasticizers were fully characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, and the mechanical properties and thermal behavior of PVC films plasticized with these additives were investigated. Finally, the endocrine activity was evaluated for cardol and cardanol acetates.

Synthesis and properties of an eco-friendly bio-based plasticizer for PVC with enhanced migration resistance

Synthesis and properties of an eco-friendly bio-based plasticizer for PVC with enhanced migration resistance

Optimization of the polyaniline solid contact in potentiometric sensors for detection of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels

The present study optimized the properties of the electropolymerized polyaniline (PANI) solid inner contact for a potentiometric chemical sensor by varying the thickness of the polymer layer. A potentiometric sensor for detecting one of the paralytic shellfish toxins, decarbamoyl saxitoxin (dcSTX), in mussel extracts was selected as a case study. The plasticized PVC membrane composition, developed in previous work for the detection of this toxin, was used. The structure and electrical properties of PANI layers of different thicknesses were studied using scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effect of PANI solid contact thickness on the characteristics of the potentiometric sensor, including sensitivity, detection limit, and selectivity to dcSTX in buffer solutions and mussel extracts, was evaluated. The formation of a water layer at the inner solid contact and PVC membrane interface was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and a water test. PANI layer thickness 1.1 µm was found to be optimal for solid inner contact for potentiometric sensor with PVC membrane providing highest sensitivity and selectivity.

Synthesis, performance evaluation, and plasticization dynamics of biobased vanillic acid plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Phthalate-based plasticizers are widely used to improve the flexibility and ductility of engineering plastics. However, their hazardous toxicity and unsustainability have prompted the plastics industry to develop safe and efficient green plasticizers. Therefore, it is imperative to develop safe biobased plasticizers from renewable resources. The ether group had been introduced into renewable vanillic acid to synthesize vanillic acid ester derivatives (VAE) using a clean method, and characterized using various spectral methods. The application performances were compared for VAE and three commercial plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticization. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated that the presence of VAE could reduce the glass transition temperature of PVC by over 50 %, which is 32 % lower than induced by the dioctyl phthalate. The presence of carbonyl and ether groups in VAE increases the elongation at break of PVC by more than 12 times, and the elongation at break (419.8 %) is 10 % higher than that of acetyl tributyl citrate plasticized PVC. Thermogravimetric analysis and aging experiments indicated that PVC blend plasticized by VAE exhibited superior thermal stability compared to acetyl tributyl citrate. The interaction between PVC and the carbonyl and ether groups in VAE has been demonstrated through multifaceted analysis utilizing density functional theory calculations. The binding energy between fragments was −17.8 kcal/mol, and the interaction was visualized by IGMH. Under this interaction, VAE exhibited extremely low migration in PVC blends. Acute oral toxicity tests were used to demonstrate that VAE is harmless to rats even at high doses. Overall, VAE, as a sustainable, low-risk, and efficient PVC plasticizer, outperforms typical commercial plasticizers and is a promising alternative to phthalates.

Enhancing flexibility and durability of PVC with liquid epoxidized natural rubber: Innovative UV treatment to mitigate plasticizer migration

AbstractThis manuscript elucidates the preparation and utilization of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) with 50 mol% epoxidation level (LENR50) as a polymeric plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and further immobilization of the plasticizer in the plastic matrix through subsequent ultraviolet (UV)‐curing treatment. The plasticizing effect induced by LENR50 at 50 wt% loading was evident with a reduction of Tg from a high of 72.0 to 11.4°C. Positive enhancements were also documented in the mechanical properties of the LENR50‐plasticized PVC, specifically the big improvement in elongation at break and elastic modulus, from 106% to 430%, and from 646 to 7 MPa, respectively. The UV‐treated PVC/LENR film also exhibited superior resistance to migration compared with formulations with conventional plasticizers such as di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and triethyl‐2‐acetyl citrate (ATEC). A similar outcome was recorded in the leaching resistance test, where LENR50 had the best resistance to leaching in four different solvents (water, soap solution, ethanol, and toluene). The LENR50‐plasticized PVC film recorded the lowest weight loss following 24 h immersion in both hydrophilic and lipophilic solvents. The findings from this study suggest that LENR50 could serve as an efficient bio‐based polymeric plasticizer for PVC.Highlights LENR as bio‐based polymeric plasticizer for PVC. Significant reduction in Tg and elastic modulus of PVC plasticized with LENR. UV treatment improved tensile strength and elongation at break of LENR/PVC film. UV‐treated PVC/LENR has superior plasticizer migration and leaching resistance.

Eco-conscious potentiometric sensing: a multiwalled carbon nanotube-based platform for tulathromycin monitoring in livestock products

Tulathromycin (TUL) is a widely used veterinary antibiotic for treating bovine and porcine respiratory infections. Consuming animal-derived food contaminated with this medication may jeopardize human health. This work adopted the first portable potentiometric platform for direct TUL sensing in pharmaceutical and food products. The sensor employed a plasticized PVC membrane on a glassy carbon electrode doped with calix[6]arene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in a single solid contact layer for selective binding and signal stability. Characterization via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the material’s integrity. The MWCNT-based sensor produced a stable Nernstian response (1.0 × 10−7 to 1.0 × 10−3 M) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.76 × 10–8 M with instantaneous response (8 ± 2 s). IUPAC validation revealed high selectivity for TUL against interfering ions, minimal drift (0.6 mV/h), and functionality over a broad pH range (2.0–7.0), allowing direct application to dosage form, spiked milk, and liver samples. Eco-Scale, AGREE, and Whiteness assessment proved the method's ecological sustainability, economic viability, and practical feasibility, surpassing traditional approaches.Graphical

Natural sea water and artificial sea water are not equivalent in plastic leachate contamination studies.

Plastic contamination is one of the concerns of our age. With more than 150 million tons of plastic floating in the oceans, and a further 8 million tons arriving to the water each year, in recent times the scientific community has been studying the effects these plastics have on sea life both in the field and with experimental approaches. Laboratory based studies have been using both natural sea water and artificial sea water for testing various aspects of plastic contamination, including the study of chemicals leached from the plastic particles to the water. We set out to test this equivalence, looking at the leaching of heavy metals form plastic particles. We obtained leachates of polyvinyl chloride plastic pre-production nurdles both in natural and artificial sea water and determined the elements in excess from untreated water by Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. We then used these different leachates to assess developmental success in the tunicate Ciona intestinalis by treating fertilised eggs through their development to hatched larvae. Here we report that chemical analysis of polyvinyl chloride plastic pre-production pellet leachates shows a different composition in natural and artificial sea water. We find that the zinc leaching from the plastic particles is up to five times higher in natural seawater than in artificial seawater, and this can have an effect in the toxicological studies derived. Indeed, we observe different effects in the development of C. intestinalis when using leachates in natural or artificial sea water. We also observe that not all artificial sea waters are suitable for studying the development of the tunicate C. intestinalis. Our results show that, at least in this case, both types of water are not equivalent to produce plastic leachaetes and suggest that precaution should be taken when conclusions are derived from results obtained in artificial sea water.

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Application of Magnetic CoFe2O4/Conjugated Poly(vinyl chloride) Derivative Nanocomposite.

CoFe2O4 has potential for application as a magnetically recoverable visible-light photocatalyst, but its photocatalytic activity is encumbered by the high recombination probability of its photogenerated holes (h+) and electrons (e-). This work was undertaken to boost the photocatalysis of CoFe2O4 through coupling with conjugated poly(vinyl chloride) derivative (CPVC). An easily implementable solvothermal-liquid solid mixing-evaporation of the solvent-pyrolysis method was exploited to synthesize CoFe2O4/CPVC nanocomposites. The photocatalytic capabilities of the products were assessed through photocatalyzing the reduction of Cr(VI) under visible-light (λ > 420 nm). The results demonstrate that the optimal CoFe2O4/CPVC nanocomposite (CoFe2O4/CPVC-2) has markedly heightened photocatalytic activity (3.6 times that of CoFe2O4) and competent reusability and is magnetically recoverable. Furthermore, CoFe2O4/CPVC-2 also shows superior performance toward photocatalytic treatment of the diluted Cr(VI)-containing passivation solution of copper alloys. It is deduced based on the photoelectricity measurement results that the increased photocatalysis of CoFe2O4/CPVC-2 is chiefly attributed to its p-n heterojunction structure, which greatly elevates the h+-e- separation and transfer efficiency. When waste PVC plastic films (replacing the new pure PVC powder) were utilized for the synthesis, the obtained CoFe2O4/CPVC nanocomposite exhibited even better photocatalytic activity (4 times that of CoFe2O4). This work not only has made a new magnetically recoverable, efficient visible-light photocatalyst for decontamination of Cr(VI) in water but also is inspirational for recycling PVC plastic waste to produce high-valued visible-light photocatalysts.

Optoelectronic Strain-Measurement System Demonstrated on Scaled-Down Flywheels.

Monitoring the strain in the rotating flywheel in a kinetic energy storage system is important for safe operation and for the investigation of long-term effects in composite materials like carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics. An optoelectronic strain-measurement system for contactless deformation and position monitoring of a flywheel was investigated. The system consists of multiple optical sensors measuring the local relative in-plane displacement of the flywheel rotor. A special reflective pattern, which is necessary to interact with the sensors, was applied to the surface of the rotor. Combining the measurements from multiple sensors makes it possible to distinguish between the deformation and in-plane displacement of the flywheel. The sensor system was evaluated using a low-speed steel rotor for single-sensor performance investigation as well as a scaled-down high-speed rotor made from PVC plastic. The PVC rotor exhibits more deformation due to centrifugal stresses than a steel or aluminum rotor of the same dimensions, which allows experimental measurements at a smaller flywheel scale as well as a lower rotation speed. Deformation measurements were compared to expected deformation from calculations. The influence of sensor distance was investigated. Deformation and position measurements as well as derived imbalance measurements were demonstrated.

Kinetics of Plasticized Poly(vinyl chloride) Thermal Degradation, Induction, Autocatalysis, Glass Transition, Diffusion

AbstractKinetics of non‐oxidative thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plasticized with di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate and epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. PVC thermal degradation autocatalyzed by forming HCl is delayed in the presence of acid scavenging ELO. Direct HCl elimination rates during steady state degradation (induction period) were almost independent on ELO concentration, with rate constants ranging from ≈3.2×10−6 s−1 at 463 K to ≈7.0×10−5 s−1 at 503 K. Activation energy of HCl elimination increased with glass transition temperature (Tg) increase from 136.0 kJ mol−1 at Tg=260.3 K to 141.9 kJ mol−1at Tg=274.2 K. Diffusion coefficients of HCl diffusion in plasticized PVC deduced using Williams‐Landel‐Ferry equation were of the order of 10−4 cm2 sec−1. Calculated activation energy of HCl diffusion in plasticized PVC was ≈30 kJ mol−1. The rate constants of PVC autocatalytic degradation were derived from the experimental data (for the 1st time) using Šesták‐Berggren approach and ranged from 3.2×10−2 sec−1 at 503 K to 4.4×10−3 sec−1 at 463 K. Autocatalysis activation energies ranged from 70.4 kJ mol−1 to 85.1 kJ mol−1 and increased with increase of glass transition temperature. It was established that PVC degradation kinetics was not controlled by HCl diffusion. Compensation effect was observed for initial and catalyzed PVC degradation.

Non-migrating PVC plasticizers based on oligocaprolactones obtained by ring-opening polymerization

Oligomeric plasticizers for PVC were synthesized using ring-opening-polymerization of caprolactone (CL) initiated by aromatic and heteroaromatic thiol compounds containing hydroxy groups. The obtained plasticizers were chemically bound to the polymer both, in solution and in the melt, with different PVC/plasticizer weight ratios and their efficiency with respect to the degree of anchorage, resistance to migration and plasticization were studied.Thiolates from heteroaromatic thiol plasticizers were too strongly basic and produced partial hydrolysis and transesterification side reactions during the anchorage reaction to the polymer. On the other hand, oligomers carrying an aromatic thiol end group could be bound selectively and without hydrolysis to the PVC chains. The most suitable system was produced on a 50 kg scale and the plasticized materials obtained were analysed showing good degrees of anchorage and excellent plasticizing properties.

Thermal-oxidative stability of PVC compositions modified with a bromine-containing plasticizer-flame retardant

The possibility of creating polymer compositions based on polyvinyl chloride plasticized with a bromine-containing flameretarding plasticizer has been investigated. Their thermostability at introduction of plasticizer with different bromine content was evaluated. The optimal concentrations of bromine in the flame-retarding plasticizer to increase the thermal stability of the polymer composition have been established. It is noted that increasing the concentration of bromine in the flame-retarding plasticizer increases the rate of elimination of hydrogen bromide and slows down the thermal destruction of the polymer matrix. It is shown that during thermo-oxidative degradation of plasticized PVC composite, hydrogen bromide is first eliminated from flame-retarding plasticizer, which accelerates the process of polyene formation and additional cross-linking of polymer macromolecules. An increase in the tensile strength of plasticized compositions at the introduction of optimal dosages of flame-retarding plasticizer was observed.

Unveiling the comprehensive performance and safety advancements in PVC films through environmentally friendly PMgLaCe-LDH incorporation

Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) is the most widely used PVC plasticizer today. However, the poor migration and volatility resistance of toxic DOTP in PVC films lead to hazards for both the environment and human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new, environmentally friendly, and multifunctional filler of PVC to improve the overall performance of PVC and reduce the release of toxic DOTP. Here the alkaline and neutral-modified Mg-based layered double hydroxides (PMgLaCe-LDHNe/Ae) with various La/Ce doping ratios was successfully synthesized through a co-precipitation method and used as multifunctional filler for PVC. Subsequently, composite membranes of PMgLaCe-LDH/PVC were prepared using the blending method, and their comprehensive properties were further investigated. The results demonstrated that the composite membrane, specifically 20Mg10Ce-LDHAe/PVC, exhibited exceptional qualities. These included improved plasticized flame retardancy, photo-thermal stability, hydrophobicity, low-temperature resistance, volatility resistance, and migration resistance. Furthermore, the short-term and long-term safety evaluation, cytotoxicity assay and intradermal irritation response test on SD rats revealed that the addition of the new environmentally friendly and non-toxic compound, 20Mg10Ce-LDHAe, effectively inhibited PVC degradation and the release of toxic substances. This research offers a potential solution to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with PVC products, making them safer and more sustainable.

Resonant mechanical vibration of a polymer PVC film under modulated optical excitation

The mechanical response of plasticized thin PVC films under a modulated optical radiation pressure excitation is investigated as a function of the plasticizer content. A resonant behavior with different quality factor depending on the plasticizer content is investigated. The higher the content, the larger the resonant width. A significant thinning of the film is observed, whatever the plasticizer content. The surface tension of the air/solid interface is extracted and shown to hardly vary. The loss factor which is known as the ratio of dissipated energy to stored energy is, on the other hand, dependent on the plasticizer content. In particular, the optical studies reveal that all the energy is always stored at the film interfaces with a dissipation described by the well-known loss factor E′′ of the Young’s modulus.

Functionalizing Carbon Substrates with a Covalently Attached Cobalt Redox Buffer for Calibration-Free Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes.

With a view to potentiometric sensing with minimal calibration requirements and high long-term stability, colloid-imprinted mesoporous (CIM) carbon was functionalized by the covalent attachment of a cobalt redox buffer and used as a new solid contact for ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). The CIM carbon surface was first modified by electroless grafting of a terpyridine ligand (Tpy-ph) using diazonium chemistry, followed by stepwise binding of Co(II) and an additional Tpy ligand to the grafted ligand, forming a bis(terpyridine) Co(II) complex, CIM-ph-Tpy-Co(II)-Tpy. Half a molar equivalent of ferrocenium tetrakis(3-chlorophenyl)borate was then used to partially oxidize the Co(II) complex. Electrodes prepared with this surface-attached CIM-ph-Tpy-Co(III/II)-Tpy redox buffer as a solid contact were tested as K+ sensors in combination with valinomycin as the ionophore and Dow 3140 silicone or plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the matrixes for the ion-selective membrane (ISM). This solid contact is characterized by a redox capacitance of 3.26 F/g, ensuring a well-defined interfacial potential that underpins the transduction mechanism. By use of a redox couple as an internal reference element to control the phase boundary potential at the interface of the ISM and the CIM carbon solid contact, solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) with a standard deviation of E° as low as 0.3 mV for plasticized PVC ISMs and 3.5 mV for Dow 3140 silicone ISMs were obtained. Over 100 h, these SC-ISEs exhibit an emf drift of 20 μV/h for plasticized PVC ISMs and 62 μV/h for silicone ISMs. The differences in long-term stability and reproducibility between electrodes with ISMs comprising either a plasticized PVC or silicone matrix offer valuable insights into the effect of the polymeric matrix on sensor performance.

In situ self-activation strategy for the synthesis of double-layered S/Cl co-doped sorbents for elemental mercury removal from oxy-fuel combustion flue gas

Mercury capture from oxy-fuel combustion flue gas remains an enormous challenge for carbon capture and storage because of the lack of cost-effective, sulfur-resistant and water-resistant sorbent. In this work, double-layered S/Cl co-doped sorbents (CDSs) were synthesized through an in situ self-activation method i.e. co-pyrolysis of waste tire and PVC plastic, which were adopted for elemental mercury (Hg0) immobilization from oxy-fuel combustion flue gas. A synergistic effect between waste tire and PVC plastic was observed during co-pyrolysis. For this reason, chlorine was successfully doped into the CDSs in the form of covalent chlorine and ionic chlorine. The CDSs showed high Hg0 removal efficiency (>80 %) over a wide temperature range (20–140 °C) and excellent sulfur and water resistance. Both the initial Hg0 adsorption rate and adsorption capacity of CDSs were far higher compared with raw tire char. The Hg0 removal mechanisms were further proposed, where Hg0 preferentially reacted with covalent chlorine instead of active sulfur species. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the Hg0 adsorption over CDSs was chemisorption with an adsorption energy of −249.85 kJ/mol. The synergistic effect between sulfur and chlorine was beneficial for the formation of HgCl2 whereas it had negligible effect on the formation of HgCl.

Recyclable plastic waste segregation with deep learning based hand-eye coordination

Plastic waste management is a critical concern in municipal solid waste management systems worldwide. Despite the efforts of waste management personnel to segregate waste manually, the existing challenges persist. In municipal waste facilities, individuals responsible for waste segregation face numerous obstacles. Consequently, a significant amount of plastic waste ends up in landfills, exacerbating the plastic waste problem. To overcome these challenges, this research focuses on developing an automated system capable of categorizing plastic waste based on its visual characteristics. The trained model exhibits high precision in identifying various types of plastic waste, including PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS. Specifically, the model achieves an Average Precision of 0.917 and an Average Recall of 0.801. Moreover, the model maintains a good balance between precision and recall. In real-time operation, an overhead camera locates the positions of both the waste items and the gripper. By calculating the positional difference between the waste and the gripper, the system achieves a higher level of segregation accuracy, resembling human-like hand-eye coordination. The proposed system offers a solution to the challenges faced in MSW facilities, where the timely segregation of waste is crucial. By automating the plastic waste categorization process, the system can significantly improve waste management practices, leading to a more sustainable approach to plastic waste disposal and recycling.

Natural sea water and artificial sea water are not equivalent in plastic leachate contamination studies

Background Plastic contamination is one of the concerns of our age. With more than 150 million tons of plastic floating in the oceans, and a further 8 million tons arriving to the water each year, in recent times the scientific community has been studying the effects these plastics have on sea life both in the field and with experimental approaches. Laboratory based studies have been using both natural sea water and artificial sea water for testing various aspects of plastic contamination, including the study of chemicals leached from the plastic particles to the water. Methods We obtained leachates of PVC plastic pre-production nurdles both in natural and artificial sea water, and determined the elements in excess from untreated water by Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry. We then used these different leachates to assess developmental success in the tunicate Ciona intestinalis by treating fertilised eggs through their development to hatched larvae. Results Here we report that chemical analysis of PVC plastic pre-production pellet leachates shows a different composition in natural and artificial sea water. We find that the Zn leaching from the plastic particles is reduced up to five times in artificial sea water, and this can have an effect in the toxicological studies derived. Indeed, we observe different effects in the development of C. intestinalis when using leachates in natural or artificial sea water. We also observe that not all artificial sea waters are suitable for studying the development of the tunicarte C. intestinalis. Conclusions Our results show that, at least in this case, both types of water are not equivalent to produce plastic leachaetes and suggest that precaution should be taken when conclusions are derived from results obtained in artificial sea water.

Colorimetric probe for the determination of osmium through a novel optical sensor in environmental samples

A novel optical probe has been successfully developed for the selective detection of Os(VIII) ions. This osmium-sensing platform was intricately designed by incorporating 4-(thiazol-2-yldiazenyl)benzene-1,3-diol (TDBD) as the ionophore within a plasticized PVC membrane, and tributylphosphate (TBP) serving as the plasticizer. Upon exposure to Os(VIII) ions in a 0.5 M HClO4 acid milieu, the sensing membrane undergoes a distinctive chromatic transition, shifting from a yellow to a pink hue. The preparation of the sensor and the methodology for Os(VIII) determination were meticulously refined to achieve optimal performance. Under these carefully optimized experimental conditions, the proposed optode demonstrated an impressive linear detection range spanning from 2.5 × 10−9 to 2.5 × 10−5 M for Os(VIII), alongside remarkable detection and quantification limits of 7.24 × 10−10 and 2.4 × 10−9 M, respectively. The sensor consistently delivered highly reproducible results, as evidenced by relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 1.45% and 1.30% for Os(VIII) concentrations at 7.5 × 10−7 and 2.5 × 10−6 M, respectively, underscoring its precision and reliability. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited a swift response time of 3.0 min, further emphasizing its efficiency. The incorporation of PIMs into the sensor architecture led to a remarkable eight-fold enhancement in its response compared to counterparts lacking PIMs, signifying a significant performance improvement. In assessing potential interference, an investigation into the influence of other ions on Os(III) determination revealed that the prepared sensor displayed exceptional selectivity for Os(VIII) ions, with negligible responses observed in the presence of common ions. Collectively, these experimental findings underscore the sensor's efficacy as an invaluable tool for the precise analysis of osmium content in water samples, aligning it with the rigorous standards of international scientific research.

Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of Spirulina bioplastic produced via plasticization with glycerol

Bioplastics have been used as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics to lessen the burdens on marine and terrestrial environments due to their non-biodegradability and toxicity. However, recent studies have shown that not all bioplastics may be environmentally friendly. Microalgae, such as Spirulina that do not require arable land, have been identified as a potential bioplastic source. In this study, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out in openLCA program using the Agribalyse database, to evaluate the environmental impacts of Spirulina bioplastic, formed from plasticization of Spirulina powder with glycerol. Two processes were created for the inventories of (i) Spirulina powder and (ii) Spirulina bioplastic, where the output of the former served as an input for the latter. The extruded bioplastic sheets were food-grade and could be used as edible packaging materials. The bioplastic was also compared to conventional plastics and it was found that the energy consumption was 3.83 ± 0.26 MJ/kg-bioplastic, which was 12% and 22% higher than that of LDPE and PVC plastic films, respectively. The impacts on the environment showed that the chemical growth medium (Zarrouk medium) and electricity were the main contributors in most of the categories. Compared to the PVC and LDPE films, the Spirulina bioplastic's impacts on the aquatic ecosystems were 2–3 times higher. The global warming potential of the Spirulina bioplastic was 1.99 ± 0.014 kg CO2 eq, which was 23% and 47% lower than that of LDPE and PVC films, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was carried out by changing the electricity source and using alternative growth media. Except for the case of switching to solar energy, the results for other cases did not differ significantly from the base case scenario. Future studies were suggested to identify different greener alternatives to the growth medium as well as different energy mixes for more environmentally benign solutions.