Study on the influence of advanced treatment processes on the surface properties of polylactic acid for a bio-based circular economy for plastics

Sourkouni, Georgia; Kalogirou, Charalampia; Moritz, Philipp; Gödde, Anna; Pandis, Pavlos K.; Höfft, Oliver; Vouyiouka, Stamatina; Zorpas, Antonis A.; Argirusis, Christos

doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105627

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 77 publications

(74 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Recent works have reported the degradation of polymeric plastics using the microbial approach [350][351][352][353]. Sourkouni et al [354] proposed that the activated oxidation process and biotechnology can boost the circular economy for plastics, in which bacteria and enzymes can digest plastics. During the process of end-of-life waste management, plastic wastes are discharged into the environment accidentally due to human error, transportation, and runoff.…”

Section: Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Plastic waste exposed to the environment creates problems and is of significant concern for all life forms. Plastic production and accumulation in the natural environment are occurring at an unprecedented rate due to indiscriminate use, inadequate recycling, and deposits in landfills. In 2019, the global production of plastic was at 370 million tons, with only 9% of it being recycled, 12% being incinerated, and the remaining left in the environment or landfills. The leakage of plastic wastes into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is occurring at an unprecedented rate. The management of plastic waste is a challenging problem for researchers, policymakers, citizens, and other stakeholders. Therefore, here, we summarize the current understanding and concerns of plastics pollution (microplastics or nanoplastics) on natural ecosystems. The overall goal of this review is to provide background assessment on the adverse effects of plastic pollution on natural ecosystems; interlink the management of plastic pollution with sustainable development goals; address the policy initiatives under transdisciplinary approaches through life cycle assessment, circular economy, and sustainability; identify the knowledge gaps; and provide current policy recommendations. Plastic waste management through community involvement and socio-economic inputs in different countries are presented and discussed. Plastic ban policies and public awareness are likely the major mitigation interventions. The need for life cycle assessment and circularity to assess the potential environmental impacts and resources used throughout a plastic product’s life span is emphasized. Innovations are needed to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover plastics and find eco-friendly replacements for plastics. Empowering and educating communities and citizens to act collectively to minimize plastic pollution and use alternative options for plastics must be promoted and enforced. Plastic pollution is a global concern that must be addressed collectively with the utmost priority.

show abstract

Section: Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Regarding the composites, the development of a general circular business model is necessary, but also quality protocols concerning end-of-waste criteria of each individual mix of materials are needed. We consider the field of the reuse of composite components or, in the best case, of the whole composite material as very important as a basis for the production of novel materials using biotechnological methods in combination with surface activation methods, such as high-power ultrasounds, UV, and atmospheric plasma [68][69][70]. Furthermore, socioeconomic pressure for the development of sustainable composite recycling solutions will accelerate the replacement and/or alter the waste-management handling of these materials by banning landfilling options to reduce environmental impacts in the framework of the circular…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

End-of-Life of Composite Materials in the Framework of the Circular Economy

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Composite materials constitute an appealing choice in many industrial sectors, due to their unique composition and characteristics, such as low maintenance requirements, light weight, corrosion resistance, and durability. However, the sustainable management of end-of-life composite materials remains a challenge. Recovery strategies, design aspects, and their interconnection are currently largely unexplored, while technologies involved in the circular economy (reuse, reduce, recycle, refurbish, etc.) could be improved. The current paper provides an overview of the existing methods of composite material waste management, while presenting new circular economy prospects for end-of-life strategies and providing a brief roadmap towards circularity for industries. Finally, existing circular economy practices in regard to composites are presented in different European countries to present the applicability of composite material end-of-life waste management.

show abstract

“…Recently, we have shown that the surface chemistry and composition of PLA is improved towards bacterial degradation (Sourkouni et al 2021 ; Kalogirou et al 2022 ). Several other studies have shown that photodegradation yields positive effects on the biodegradation of polymers by deteriorating the polymer surface and increasing the surface availability for biodegradation (Yang et al 2005 ; Longieras et al 2007 ; Jeon and Kim 2013 ; Vimala and Mathew 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of PLA pre-treatment, enzymatic and model-compost degradation, and valorization of degradation products to bacterial nanocellulose

Sourkouni

Jeremić

Kalogirou

et al. 2023

World J Microbiol Biotechnol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is well acknowledged that microplastics are a major environmental problem and that the use of plastics, both petro- and bio- based, should be reduced. Nevertheless, it is also a necessity to reduce the amount of the already spread plastics. These cannot be easily degraded in the nature and accumulate in the food supply chain with major danger for animals and human life. It has been shown in the literature that advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) modify the surface of polylactic acid (PLA) materials in a way that bacteria more efficiently dock on their surface and eventually degrade them. In the present work we investigated the influence of different AOPs (ultrasounds, ultraviolet irradiation, and their combination) on the biodegradability of PLA films treated for different times between 1 and 6 h. The pre-treated samples have been degraded using a home model compost as well as a cocktail of commercial enzymes at mesophilic temperatures (37 °C and 42 °C, respectively). Degradation degree has been measured and degradation products have been identified. Excellent degradation of PLA films has been achieved with enzyme cocktail containing commercial alkaline proteases and lipases of up to 90% weight loss. For the first time, we also report valorization of PLA into bacterial nanocellulose after enzymatic hydrolysis of the samples.

show abstract

Study on the influence of advanced treatment processes on the surface properties of polylactic acid for a bio-based circular economy for plastics

Abstract: Graphical abstract

Cited by 21 publications

References 77 publications

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions

End-of-Life of Composite Materials in the Framework of the Circular Economy

Study of PLA pre-treatment, enzymatic and model-compost degradation, and valorization of degradation products to bacterial nanocellulose

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About