A family of biodegradable polymers called polyketals and their derivatives may improve treatment for such inflammatory illnesses as acute lung injury, acute liver failure and inflammatory bowel disease by delivering drugs, proteins and snips of ribonucleic acid to disease locations in the body.
Source: Science News

Photo: asylumresearch.com

There was a time no so long ago, when people would throw food scraps, peelings and the like into the compos heap in the back corner of their garden. The rest of the household rubbish went into the dustbin in plastic sacks. Since those days, things have changed. Now you can feed the compost heap with the plastic sacks too. British company Symphony Environmental is producing fully degradable bin bags, carrier bags and other plastic bags from polyethylene, using new additive technology to reduce the plastic to carbon dioxide and water in just a few weeks.

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Biodegradable plastics from wheat starch and polylactic acid (PLA)
By: mindfully

Principal Investigators: X. Susan Sun, Biomaterial Processing Engineering, KSU Dept. Of Grain Science and Industry and Paul Seib, Starch Chemistry and Technology, KSU Dept. of Grain Science and Industry.

Photo: packagingnews.co.uk

Introduction and Background Advanced technology in petrochemical polymers has brought many benefits to mankind. However, it becomes more evident that the ecosystem is considerably disturbed and damaged as a result of the non-degradable materials for disposable items. The environmental impact of persistent plastic wastes is growing more global concern, and alternative disposal methods are limited. Incineration may generate toxic air pollution, and satisfactory landfill sites are limited. Also, the petroleum resources are finite and are becoming limited. It becomes important to find durable plastic substitutes, especially in short-term packaging and disposable applications. Recently, the continuously growing concern of the public for the problem has stimulated research interest in biodegradable polymers as alternatives to conventional nondegradable polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene etc.

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Are you a green person and want to use biodegradable product? I would like to suggest this bag. UMs Tote is developed from two creative challenges: The first, to make use of the unique properties of pressed wool felt, and the second, to transform a flat surface into a volume using only the simplest of operations. When unzipped, UMs lay completely flat for dry cleaning and easy storage — and when zipped, they become inspired forms with inherent functionality.

The largest in the family of Um, the Tote sits neatly on your wrist and is no larger than a Sunday paper when zipped. UMs come in one quintessential color: grey. That’s because they’re sewn from two layers of industrial wool felt made from factory excess. Grey pressed felt made from 85% wool and 15% mixed fibers. As a natural material that might otherwise go to waste, most would consider it eco-friendly. Please note that wool felt is made from factory waste, so color and texture may vary slightly from what is shown. Choose your self-locking zipper color from the list below. More information.

The development will realize the use of bio-plastics in electronic products as well as contributing to environmental friendliness with main characteristics of the bio-plastic include the following:

(1) Top-level flame resistance (UL94 5V and UL94 V-0/ 1.6mm test piece thickness) has been achieved by the use of a safe inorganic material that absorbs heat during ignition.
(2) Other important properties such as heat resistance, moldability, and strength have been satisfied by the addition of special additives that improve these properties.

Bio-plastic
Plastics made of biomass-source, which can aid reduction of current environmental problems such as the increase of CO2 gas causing global warming and petroleum resource exhaust.

Polylactic acid
A type of bio-plastic made of corn, etc. This was the first bio-plastic to be mass produced. However, it has insufficient flame resistance and other properties to enable use in electronic products.

Flame resistance
Plastics used in electronic products require high flame resistance to prevent fire. The standard for flame resistance that is regulated by Under Writer Laboratories (UL) in the USA is widely adopted. The order of high flame resistance is 5V, V-0, V-1, V-2, NOT V-2 (UL94 session). General electronic products such as PCs and TVs require standards higher than V-1. Special products that generate heat with high temperature, such as projectors require 5V.

Flame-retarding additives
Additives which retard flaming after ignition. Halogen compounds such as organic bromine compounds and phosphorus compounds such as red phosphorus and phosphorus ester are widely used, but such halogen compounds generate toxic gases when burning. Also red phosphorus can generate toxic substances when burned, and phosphorus esters themselves are somewhat toxic and might cause biological damage after disposal. So in terms of safety these compounds are insufficient.
Source: NEC 

Aramex Introduces Biodegradable Packages (MENAFN)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Aramex today announced it has successfully introduced eco-friendly courier bags across its global network.

Photo: decorationtricks.com

The major initiative, which began at the start of the year, involved phasing out all plastic bags for its express courier dispatches, replacing them with new eco-friendly, bio-degradable pouches.

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