The biodegradable polymers by Expertox

Today cosmetic brands are moving towards a “green” cosmetic area. First, the content is studied by reformulation or the creatinon new a product from green chemistry, plant chemistry, etc. Then
the packaging, an essential aspect on the development and on the brand image, is studied. One of the alternatives to conventional polymers and plastics (PE, PET, HDPE, PS, etc.) is the use of socalled “bioplastic” packaging. The term bioplastic means and describes two distinct types of polymers:
– Bio-sourced (or agro-sourced) polymers : from renewable resources, often from plant material.
– Biodegradable polymers.

Some of them are bio-sourced and biodegradable packaging, in particular the agropolymers (extract of biomass) such as PLA, PHA, PHB, PHV, …

These different polymers have different physicochemical properties. It is important to know their advantages and disadvantages in order to select the best for the dedicated application [1]. Avérous L. published in 2004 a classification of biodegradable polymers according to their origin, and their sources in the Journal of Polymer Science of which an illustration is presented below [2] :

[1] Advantages and disadvantages of different bioplastics, website : http://le-bioplastique.emonsite.
com/pages/iii-les-avantages-et-inconvenients.html

[2] Classification of biodegradable polymers according to their origin, reference : Avérous L (2004),
J. Macromol. Sci C Polym. Rev., 3, 231