INDIA – Scientists at India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) have introduced an innovative biodegradable packaging solution made from polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a polymer derived from petroleum products or plant oils.
This new technology decomposes naturally within three months without leaving any harmful residue.
Developed by a team at the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad, led by Dr. K. Veerabrahmam, the PBAT-based packaging offers strength and durability comparable to conventional plastics, making it an eco-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Environmental impact studies, including the International Organization for Standardization 17088 test, have confirmed the compostability of these products.
To encourage widespread adoption nationwide, DRDO has shared this technology with over 40 industries free of charge.
Despite a slightly higher production cost of ₹160 ($1.90) to ₹180 per kg, compared to traditional polyethylene bags at ₹140 per kg, DRDO and its partners are committed to keeping these biodegradable bags cost-effective.
Dr. Veerabrahmam stated, “By sharing the technology free of charge and fostering collaborations, we aim to scale up production and distribution efficiently. This approach ensures that the benefits of this eco-friendly solution reach a broad audience.”
This pilot project serves as a model for broader implementation in tourist destinations, coastal areas, and other regions across the country.
The potential applications of this technology are vast, extending to medical waste bags, aprons, shrink films, and packing films.
The initiative marks a significant step towards sustainable living and environmental preservation in India.
While the patent process for this technology is underway, the extensive research conducted by the Advanced Systems Laboratory underscores DRDO’s commitment to finding environmentally friendly replacements for hazardous plastics.
The collaboration with Ecolastic and multiple industries exemplifies the collective effort needed to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.
In a similar effort, BASF has introduced a new solution to enhance the use of renewable feedstocks in the packaging sector.
The company is expanding its range of certified compostable biopolymers to include a biomass-balanced (BMB) version of ecoflex®, a PBAT commonly used in biopolymer compounding.
The new ecoflex® F Blend C1200 BMB replaces fossil raw materials with renewable feedstock sourced from waste and residual biomass at the outset of the value chain.
This renewable feedstock is certified according to REDcert2 and ISCC PLUS and is attributed to the ecoflex® grade via a mass balance approach.
The biomass-balanced ecoflex® not only reduces reliance on fossil resources but also offers a 60% lower Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) compared to the standard ecoflex® F Blend C1200.
Certified compostable products based on PBAT compounds support the circular economy by facilitating the collection and recycling of organic waste. However, completely avoiding fossil resources in PBAT production remains a challenge.
With ecoflex® BMB, BASF addresses this by providing a solution that is organically recyclable at the end of its lifecycle, fully replacing fossil feedstock with renewable raw materials from the outset of production, thereby advancing the biological loop of the circular economy.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE
