Thermophilic and mesophilic biogas production from PLA-based materials: Possibilities and limitations

Bernat, Katarzyna; Kulikowska, Dorota; Wojnowska‐Baryła, Irena; Zaborowska, Magdalena; Pasieczna-Patkowska, Sylwia

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2020.10.006

Cited by 47 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…It could be biodegraded (91%) in environments such as an anaerobic sludge [67]. Although PLA anaerobically biodegraded and produced a high yield of biogas, the time frame of PLA digestion was much longer than that of biowaste, making it unacceptable on a technical scale under mesophilic conditions [68]. In other studies, PLA degradation on anaerobic conditions was almost neglectable [57].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Degradation of Plastics in Simulated Landfill Conditions

Quecholac-Piña

Consuelo

Consuelo³

et al. 2021

Polymers

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Different degradable plastics have been promoted as a solution for the accumulation of waste in landfills and the natural environment; in Mexico, the most popular options are oxo-degradable, which degrade in a sequential abiotic–biotic process, and compostable plastics. In this research, high-density polyethylene, oxo-degradable high-density polyethylene, and certified compostable plastic were exposed to simulated landfill conditions in an 854-day-long experiment to assess their degradation. High-density polyethylene showed limited degradation, due mainly to surface erosion, evidenced by a 13% decrease in elongation at break. The pro-oxidant additive in the oxo-degradable plastic increased this loss of mechanical properties to 27%. However, both plastic films kept their physical integrity and high molecular weight by the end of the experiment, evidencing degradation but no biodegradation. While the compostable film fragmented, had a lower molecular weight at the end of the experiment, and decreased the presence of C=O bonds, this degradation took place remarkably slower than expected from a composting process. Results show that oxo-degradable and compostable plastics will not biodegrade readily in landfills. This fact should be known and understood for decision-makers to match the characteristics of the materials to the features of the waste management systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Degradation of Plastics in Simulated Landfill Conditions

Quecholac-Piña

Consuelo

Consuelo³

et al. 2021

Polymers

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“…For this purpose, AD of biodegradable plastics has attracted attention in the scientific community in the past few decades (Bátori et al, 2018;Greene, 2018;Narancic et al, 2018;Ruggero et al, 2019). Most of the biodegradable polymers that are biodegradable under industrial composting conditions are also biodegradable under AD conditions, albeit at a reduced rate (Abraham et al, 2021;Bátori et al, 2018;Bernat et al, 2021;Narancic et al, 2018). These polymers require more time to reach their final biodegradation level than the hydraulic retention time (HRT) usually applied in biogas plants (Narancic et al, 2018).…”

Section: ) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can anaerobic digestion be a suitable end-of-life scenario for biodegradable plastics? A critical review of the current situation, hurdles, and challenges

Cazaudehore

Guyoneaud

Evon

et al. 2022

Biotechnology Advances

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“…Anaerobic processes seem to be especially profitable because they produce methane, which can be used for energy generation. However, because of amount of time needed for methane production from bio-based products [9], pretreatment is needed. The use of pretreatment may increase the surface area of the material, resulting in more rapid degradation and improved methane production [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in Sustainable Degradability of Bio-Based and Oxo-Degradable Packaging Materials during Anaerobic Thermophilic Treatment

et al. 2021

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Although the manufacturers labelled commercially available bio-based products as biodegradable, there are discrepancies concerning the time frame for their sustainable biodegradation and methane production. Starch-based, polylactic acid-based and oxo-degradable foils were anaerobically treated in thermophilic condition (55 °C, 100 days). The effect of alkaline pretreatment on foils degradation was also investigated. To examine changes in their mechanical and physical properties, static tensile tests and microscopic analyses, FTIR and surface roughness analyses were conducted. Despite the thermophilic condition, and the longer retention time compared to that needed for biowaste, a small amount of methane was produced with bio-based foils, even after pretreatment (ca. 30 vs. 50 L/kg VS) and foils only lost functional and mechanical properties. The pieces of bio-based materials had only disintegrated, which means that digestate may become contaminated with fragments of these materials. Thus, providing guidelines for bio-based foil treatment remains a challenge in waste management.

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Thermophilic and mesophilic biogas production from PLA-based materials: Possibilities and limitations

Cited by 47 publications

References 33 publications

Degradation of Plastics in Simulated Landfill Conditions

Degradation of Plastics in Simulated Landfill Conditions

Can anaerobic digestion be a suitable end-of-life scenario for biodegradable plastics? A critical review of the current situation, hurdles, and challenges

Challenges in Sustainable Degradability of Bio-Based and Oxo-Degradable Packaging Materials during Anaerobic Thermophilic Treatment

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