Upcycling method could turn food packaging into fast-degrading materials

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany, have found a way to convert plastic packaging into new materials with distinct properties that degrade more rapidly.

The study, published in Chem Circularity, developed a polyester metamorphosis strategy that converts commercial polyesters into polythionoester, a type of plastic that is more readily degradable.

Dr. Jennifer Garden, corresponding author of the study from the School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, says: “The thionation of polyesters is a challenging task, as these materials are less reactive toward thionation than many other polymers, and accessing polythionoesters via traditional routes can be difficult.” 

“What makes this discovery so exciting is that we’ve successfully developed a strategy that opens the door to a whole new range of sulfur-containing materials. We’re eager to see where this research takes us and are already looking forward to exploring the many possibilities that this breakthrough has to offer, paving the way for future studies in this promising field.”

Flexible adaptation

Researchers have trialled the method on polycaprolactone (PCL), a type of biodegradable plastic used in food packaging.

The team shares that the straightforward process is “easily scalable, meaning it should be possible to convert large quantities of plastics rapidly.” The process can be modified to upcycle other types of plastic, expanding its possible applications.

The team says that further research is needed to navigate the possible environmental impacts of the breakdown products of polythionoesters.

Recently, Croatian researchers discovered that biodegradable PCL and PCL nanocomposite coatings do not negatively affect recycled fibers’ appearance.