pps proceeding
Symposium: S12 - Biopolymers and Processes/Biomedical Poster Presentation
Application of Biodegradable PHA as an Alternative to Single Use Plastics
Tran Nate (1)*
(1) University of Guelph - Ontario - Canada
With a rise in sustainability awareness across the global and bans facing single use plastics in Canada, many industries face a need to develop new solutions where plastics were by far the most ideal material. Instead, pivoting single use plastic manufacturing towards the use of budding biodegradable alternatives may be ideal.
This research aims to compare the properties of PHA to plastics commonly used in industry to identify potential plastics in which PHA copolymers may be a suitable substitute. The products in which these plastics are applied will then be analyzed for compatibility with PHA, considering its biodegradation, to determine areas where PHA would function well. Plastic flow and static load simulations on these products made from PHA and the identified materials will then be compared in order to find the best applications for PHA.
The research will also consider potential problems facing the use of PHA in common plastics applications, such as maintaining material stability and possible limitations due to permeability.