Plastic products, especially in the packaging industry, have become the main commodities penetrating virtually every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, their omnipresence is not neutral to the natural environment. Pollution in the form of microplastics is a global problem. Therefore, green technologies that enter into the circular economy become an important topic. As part of the research work, the modification of poly(lactic acid) has been studied for use in the packaging industry. Due to its intrinsic rigidity, plasticizing substances had to be introduced in PLA in order to improve its plastic deformability. Both high-molecular compounds such as ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and ethoxylated stearic acid as well as low-molecular compounds such as di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate, and triethyl citrate were used. The samples extruded from plasticized polymers were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and mechanical properties including Young’s modulus. The melt flow rate (MFR) and molar mass distribution were determined. For all modified samples the glass transition temperature, depending on the plasticizer used, was shifted towards lower values compared to the base polymer. The best result was obtained for di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (ADO) and di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate (SDO). The elongation at break increased significantly for ADO at about 21%. The highest elongation was obtained for SDO (about 35%), although it obtained a higher glass temperature. The degradation of the polymer was not observed for both plasticizers. For these plasticizers (ADO and SDO) it also lowered Young’s module by about 26%, and at the infrared spectrum deformation of peaks were observed, which may indicate the interaction of the ester carbonyl group of PLA with plasticizers. Therefore it can be concluded that they are good modifiers. The selected plasticizers that are used in the production of food contact materials, in particular in the production of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) food films, also exhibited great potential to be applied to PLA food films, and exhibit better properties than the citrate, which are indicated in many publications as PLA plasticizers.

Polymeric products enriched with natural additives e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates or collagen may find a wide application avenue due to the ever-growing demand for natural cosmetics. The ecology of cosmetics is equally important. Therefore, in the work presented a biodegradable nonwoven was prepared with natural components as an active layer for cosmetic application. Synthesied was the biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester: poly (1.4 butylene succinate-co-glutarate-co-adipate-co-terephtalate). suitable for the forming of spunbond nonwoven. The active layer was deposited by padding on basic nonwoven. Assessed were microbiological and mechanical properties as well as the in- compost decomposition of the product. Activity against S. aureus and E. coli was tested and microbiological purity estimated. The best serviceable composition of the active layer was selected based on the microbiological properties tested. It contains sodium hialuronate, plant hydrolate of the bitter orange (Neroli), and collagen. Thanks to good mechanical properties, nonwoven made of aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester may serve as a carrier of the cosmetic layer in applications like face masks.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the surface microstructure of chitosan films on the contact angle. Films without plasticising additives made of chitosan or regenerated chitosan were selected for the tests. A sessile drop method based on the European Pharmacopoeia was used to determine the contact angle. Due to the method of film production, the contact angle measurements were made on both the top and bottom surfaces of the film. For chitosan or regenerated chitosan films, the method of preparation slightly affected the difference in wettability between the top and bottom of the films, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. On the other hand, the wettability of the top and bottom of cellulose films varied greatly depending on the side of the film. Both chitosan and cellulose films had a homogeneous structure. There were differences in the microstructure between the top and the bottom of the sample in the cellulose film, a factor that affected the contact angle and thus the wettability of the surface.

Textile products enriched with natural substances, e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates, collagen and chitosan, may find wide application in cosmetics because of increasing consumer interest in natural products. Furthermore, in view of global environmental pollution, products that are produced through biochemical changes as a result of composting are sought. This makes it possible to enter such designed cosmetic products into the scheme of the currently desired circular economy. Compostable textiles are an ecological alternative to product backlogs and polluting the environment in the form of post-consumer waste. Therefore, this research work developed a technology for applying natural substances on a biodegradable polyester fibrous substrate. This study developed the optimal composition of a mixture consisting of natural substances with properties applicable to the cosmetic industry, for applications such as cosmetic masks to improve the appearance of the skin. The composition of active substances that have beneficial effects on the skin, e.g. moisturizing, regenerating, antibacterial and caring, was determined. The mixture was effectively applied on a spunbound nonwoven substrate of made from aliphatic-aromatic copolyester by impregnation. The employed polymer degraded in a compost environment and its modifiers additionally supported this process. The unique composition of the applied coating layer consisted of a mixture of sodium hyaluronate, collagen, bitter orange blossom hydrolate (Neroli) and chitosan lactate. The coated nonwoven fabric was subjected to physical, mechanical, microbiological as well as chemical purity and structural tests (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) and degree of degradation in a compost environment was assessed on the basis of its weight loss.

Polymers derived from renewable sources which are additionally subject to degradation processes are currently an interesting alternative to conventional polymers of petrochemical origin. One of such polymers is poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which can be used in the packaging, textile and also medical industries. Its great advantage is the susceptibility to biodegradation and the nontoxicity of the degradation products. Because of high brittleness and stiffness, the modification of PLA is necessary to improve its plastic deformability, which can expand the new application possibilities. As part of the research work, the modification of PLA by plasticisation was undertaken to improve its plastic deformability properties. The low molecular mass esters from the citrate group and glycerol triacetate were used. The samples extruded from plasticised polymer were characterised using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Gel Permeation Chromatography/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC). The mechanical properties and melt flow rate after modification were determined. The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the structure of a plasticiser and its ability to reduce the interactions in the polymer chain in order to develop an optimal polymer-plasticiser arrangement. Based on this research, there was no relationship between the efficiency of the plasticisation process and the increasing molecular mass of the plasticiser. The additional chemical (acetyl) group in the plasticiser also does not increase the efficiency of the PLA plasticisation process. In the next steps of the research, functional forms will be produced, i.e. fibers, films, and fittings from the selected polymer-plasticiser systems.