Biodegradable materials are polymeric materials that can be chemically, biologically or physically degraded or enzymatically digested by micro-organisms present in nature such as bacteria, fungi and algae. The most desirable biodegradable biomaterials are those can be obtained from renewable resources, produced by Biodegradable Plastic Extrusion Machine, reused by living organisms after degradation and decomposed into carbon dioxide and water. The production and use of such materials are expected to be a part of the cycle of nature.
Specific typies of biodegradable materials:
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Polylactic acid is non-toxic, non-irritating, biocompatible and biodegradable material with high strength, good processability. The sheets, fibers and films made from PLA are widely used in packaging, textile and medical fields after secondary processing such as thermoforming and spinning, and they can be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms once out of use.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
Polyhydroxyalkanoates is an intracellular polyester synthesized by many microorganisms. As a natural polymeric biomaterial, PHA can be used as a biomedical material and a biodegradable packaging material because of its good biocompatibility, biodegradability and some properties suitable for thermal processing.
Polybutylene succinate (PBS)
Polybutylene succinate has excellent all-around performance and reasonable cost performance. PBS is widely used in packaging, tableware, cosmetic and pharmaceutical bottles, disposable medical supplies, agricultural films, pesticide and fertilizer slow-release materials, biomedical polymers, etc.
Polycaprolactone (PCL)
Polycaprolactone is biodegradable and easy to be processed like thermoplastics. Besides, PCL has good biocompatibility and the temperature-dependent ability to retain the shape. PCL is mainly used as the controlled-release drug carrier and medical materials like biodegradable plastic surgical sutures.
Application cases of biodegradable materials:
Biomedical uses: heart stents, artificial skin, surgical sutures, etc.
Packaging: biodegradable bags
Agriculture: agricultural films
