9 - Biodegradable Polymers - Classification

Question 1

Corn starch polymer

Answer 1

Natural Bio-polymer

Made from high starch vegetables, like corn and potato

Packaging products, straws, disposable cutlery, takeaway containers

Question 2

Potatopak

Answer 2

Natural Bio-polymer

Made from potato starch

Single-use food items (bowls, cutlery), packing peanuts, bin bags

Question 3

Biopol

Answer 3

Natural Bio-polymer

Made from bacteria grown in cultures. Can be added to thermoplastics to make them degradable.

Packaging products such as film. Pill coatings, carrier bags, cups.

Question 4

Polylactic Acid (PLA)

Answer 4

Synthetic Biopolymer

Made from corn kernels or cane sugar, then fermented to produce lactic asid. Lactic acid then synthesised to produce polylactic acid.

Packaging, single-use bottles, carrier bags, 3D printing

Question 5

PHA

Answer 5

Natural biopolymer

Made from bacteria grown in cultures. Fully compostable.

Packaging. Medical uses, such as for slow-release medicine patches. Films, screws, bone plates (medical)

Question 6

Lactide

Answer 6

Synthetic bio-polymer

PLA and cellulose based. Compostable and water soluble.

Medical applications, such as slow-release medicine patches, bone repair plates. Water soluble detergent pods.

Question 7

Glycolide

-Lactel and Ecofilm

Answer 7

Synthetic bio-polymer

PLA and cellulose based. Fully compostable

Food film, bags, packaging wrap, bin bags