Jha Swarn, Akula Bhargav, Enyioma Hannah, Novak Megan, Amin Vansh, Liang Hong
J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123, USA.
Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123, USA.
Polymers (Basel). 2024 Aug 9;16(16):2262. doi: 10.3390/polym16162262.
Biodegradable biobased polymers derived from biomass (such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry material) show promise in replacing conventional petrochemical polymers. Research and development have been conducted for decades on potential biodegradable biobased polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and succinate polymers. These materials have been evaluated for practicality, cost, and production capabilities as limiting factors in commercialization; however, challenges, such as the environmental limitations on the biodegradation rates for biodegradable biobased polymer, need to be addressed. This review provides a history and overview of the current development in the synthesis process and properties of biodegradable biobased polymers, along with a techno-commercial analysis and discussion on the environmental impacts of biodegradable biobased polymers. Specifically, the techno-commercial analysis focuses on the commercial potential, financial assessment, and life-cycle assessment of these materials, as well as government initiatives to facilitate the transition towards biodegradable biobased polymers. Lastly, the environmental assessment focuses on the current challenges with biodegradation and methods of improving the recycling process and reusability of biodegradable biobased polymers.
源自生物质（如植物、动物、海洋或林业材料）的可生物降解生物基聚合物有望取代传统石化聚合物。几十年来，人们一直在对聚乳酸（PLA）、聚羟基脂肪酸酯（PHA）和琥珀酸聚合物等潜在的可生物降解生物基聚合物进行研发。这些材料已根据实用性、成本和生产能力进行评估，这些都是商业化的限制因素；然而，诸如可生物降解生物基聚合物生物降解率的环境限制等挑战仍需解决。本综述介绍了可生物降解生物基聚合物合成过程和性能的发展历程及现状，同时对可生物降解生物基聚合物的技术商业分析以及对环境影响的讨论。具体而言，技术商业分析侧重于这些材料的商业潜力、财务评估和生命周期评估，以及政府为促进向可生物降解生物基聚合物过渡而采取的举措。最后，环境评估侧重于目前生物降解面临的挑战以及改善可生物降解生物基聚合物回收过程和可重复使用性的方法。
