Review article
https://doi.org/10.15255/CABEQ.2020.1819
Polyhydroxyalkanoates – Linking Properties, Applications, and End-of-life Options
M. Koller
orcid.org/0000-0002-9251-1822
; a)University of Graz, Office of Research Management and Service, c/o Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28/IV, 8010 Graz; b)ARENA – Association for Resource Efficient and Sustainable Technologies, Inffeldgasse 21b, 8010 Graz, Austria
A. Mukherjee
; Global Organization for PHA (GO!PHA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Abstract
When it comes to “bioplastics”, we currently notice an immense complexity of this topic, and, most of all, a plethora of contradictory legislations, which confuses or even misleads insufficiently informed consumers. The present article therefore showcases microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters as the prime class of “bioplastics” sensu stricto. In particular, biodegradability of PHA as its central benefit in elevating the current plastic waste scenario is elaborated on the biochemical basis: this covers aspects of the enzymatic machinery involved both in intra- and extracellular PHA degradation, and environmental factors impacting biodegradability. Importantly, PHA degradability is contextualized with potential fields of application of these materials. It is further shown how the particularities of PHA in terms of feedstocks, mode of synthesis, degradability, and compostability differ from other polymeric materials sold as “bioplastics”, highlighting the unique selling points of PHA as “green” plastic products in the circular economy. Moreover, current standards, norms, and certificates applicable to PHA are presented as basis for a straight-forward, scientifically grounded classification of “bioplastics”.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Keywords
biodegradability; biopolymers; certifications; composting; depolymerases; polyhydroxyalkanoates
Hrčak ID:
245602
URI
Publication date:
4.11.2020.
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