Razvoj novih biorazgradljivih polimerov iz obnovljivih virov

Konvencionalni polimeri predstavljajo veliko večino vseh proizvedenih polimerov, ker imajo dobre mehanske lastnosti, nizko ceno in veliko različnih funkcij uporabe. Vendar njihova razgradnja traja več deset let in pri tem nastane mikroplastika, ki jo je težko odstraniti iz okolja, zato imajo veliko negativnih vplivov na okolje med proizvodnjo in po končani uporabi. Rešitev za omenjene težave bi lahko predstavljali biorazgradljivi polimeri, ki se razgradijo pod vplivom biotskih (živih) dejavnikov. Surovine, iz katerih izdelujemo biorazgradljive polimere, delimo v tri generacije, glede na to, koliko so odvisne od kmetijskega trga. Cilj razvoja novih biorazgradljivih polimerov je, da bi bili čim manj povezani s kmetijstvom in da za njihovo izdelavo ne bi uporabljali veliko zemlje in surovin, ki se uporabljajo za hrano za živali in ljudi. Zato imajo največje možnosti bakterijski polimeri in surovine tretje generacije, ki niso odvisne od kmetijskega trga. Poleg dodatnega razvoja materialov je potreben tudi razvoj postopkov in ustrezne infrastrukture za ravnanje z biorazgradljivimi polimeri po končni izdelavi. Verjetnost razvoja biorazgradljivega polimera, ki je biorazgradljiv v vseh okoljih in pogojih je zelo majhna. Zato je večina do zdaj razvitih biorazgradljivih polimerov biorazgradljivih v specifičnih pogojih in okoljih. Zato je pomembno tudi izobraziti potrošnike o pravilnem odlaganju in standardizirati ter natančneje označevati pogoje in okolja, v katerih so izdelki biorazgradljivi. Conventional polymers represent most of the total polymer production, because of their good mechanical properties, low cost and many different utilization functions. Not only does their decomposition last for decades, it also produces microplastics, which are difficult to remove from the environment and have a very profound negative impact on it. Solution for the aforementioned problem could be biodegradable polymers, that degrade when they are exposed to biotical factors. The main resources for producing biodegradable polymers are divided into three generations, based on the dependence on agriculture. The main goal, associated with producing new biodegradable polymers, is to separate its production from the agriculture, while using as little of the materials beneficial for human and animal consumption as possible. Hence bacterial polymers and third generation feedstock, that are not dependent on agriculture, have the most potential. Besides of the development of biodegradable polymers we need to develop new and improved processes for handling these polymers after they are produced. The fact is, having a polymer which is biodegradable in all climates is effectively impossible, so the focus of research was set on specific conditions. This is why not only research and production are important, but also the education of the general public on the different kinds of biodegradable polymers and standardization and more specific labeling of the conditions for their degradation.