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This work aims at studying the degradable effect of artificial ageing on tri-layer stabilised low-density polyethylene (PE) films used as greenhouse cover in the North Africa environment. The film was supplied by Agrofilm company, Algeria. Colour additives and infra-red and ultraviolet stabilisers were used. Optical, thermal, surface and mechanical properties have been investigated for virgin sample and samples exposed to sand wind for different exposure periods (1, 2, 4 and 8 h) of artificial ageing at a temperature of 40°C simulating Saharan environment. The findings of this study show that the harsh environmental conditions of exposure to temperature and sand wind have significant degradable effects on the properties of the PE film. The transmission of the film and its mechanical properties have reduced significantly due to exposure to sand wind and temperature. The study revealed also that the degradation parameters measured are directly related to the criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of agri...

The increased use of plastic material in many different agricultural applications causes high volumes of waste. The mechanical recycling of postconsumption plastic is a suitable system for the recovery of these materials. With the aim of evaluating the mechanical and physical characteristics of plastic bars’ profiles, obtained by recycling different polymeric mixtures of agricultural plastic film. Experimental tests were performed on different blends of heterogeneous material. Bars, made from recycled agricultural plastic film were produced through mechanical recycling, mixed with calcium carbonate, high density polyethylene, ‘densified’ polyethylene from scrap material, wood powder, and glass fibers.

The use of plastic material in agriculture has been growing during the last decades thanks to the benefits it provides in agricultural production. The durability of plastic films is related to the meteorological and environmental conditions, as well as to the consequence of stress they are subjected to during their operational life. An improvement in the technical design of the agricultural plastic film is connected with a closer link between its chemical formulation and the engineering performance. The present article presents a general review about innovative material and new techniques for mechanical recycling of agricultural plastic film.