Comparative Study of the Bio-Disintegration Behavior of Polylactic Acid under Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Composting Conditions

Abstract:

In recent years, compostable plastics have gained a great attention as green materials due to the problems of more plastic waste generated each year over the world. One attractive of compostable plastics is that after use they can be biodegraded by natural microorganisms in the composting process within a specified period of time. Degree and rate of disintegration during composting is an important requirement that is used to determine the compostability of these plastics. This research work studied and compared the disintegration behaviors of PLA laboratory and pilot-scale composting conditions according to ISO 20200:2004 and ISO 16929:2002. Finally, the results from the disintegration testing could be used to evaluate the compostability, biological properties and impacted of a plastic material on the fermentation of organic waste in the composting plant.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 747)
• Pages: 678-681
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.747.678
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Parichat Intaraksa, Yositar Rudeekit, Pongsaks Siriyota, Thanawadee Leejarkpai
• Keywords: Biodegradable Polymer, Bio-Disintegration, ISO 20200, ISO16929, PLA

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