INS9-0988
Advancing the Sustainability of Biodegradable Plastics: Accelerated Degradation, Resource Recovery (Biogasification), and Ecotoxicological Assessment
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
16:40 - 17:05
Room 313
Session Chairs
Dongyeop OH
Presenter(s)
Dongku Kang (Incheon National University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Plastics are among the most commercially successful materials ever developed by humankind; however, growing concerns regarding environmental pollution throughout their production, use, and disposal stages have raised significant questions about their sustainability. As alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics, biodegradable and bio-based plastics have experienced rapid growth in both production volume and application scope. Nevertheless, biodegradable plastics often require months to years to achieve complete degradation under natural or landfill conditions. Furthermore, their aerobic degradation generates carbon dioxide, raising ongoing concerns regarding their carbon neutrality and overall environmental sustainability.
Consequently, there is increasing social, industrial, and scientific demand for technologies that can accelerate the degradation of biodegradable and bio-based plastics, including poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and polylactic acid (PLA). Beyond degradation itself, growing attention is being paid to resource-circulation strategies that enable the valorization of degradation products through material recovery and energy production.
This session will highlight recent advances in the accelerated degradation of biodegradable plastic materials and products, including PLA, PHA, PBAT, and PBS, through the use of microorganisms and microbial enzymes. Various physical and chemical approaches for enhancing degradation efficiency will also be introduced. In addition, recent findings on the anaerobic degradation behavior of biodegradable plastics under oxygen- and temperature-limited conditions, as well as strategies for accelerating biogas production, will be discussed. Furthermore, the session will examine the chemical composition of extractable chemical mixtures released from commercial biodegradable plastic products and their associated environmental and ecotoxicological impacts. Through these discussions, we aim to provide a comprehensive perspective on the degradation, safety, and sustainability of biodegradable plastics and to suggest future research directions for their responsible development and utilization.
Consequently, there is increasing social, industrial, and scientific demand for technologies that can accelerate the degradation of biodegradable and bio-based plastics, including poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and polylactic acid (PLA). Beyond degradation itself, growing attention is being paid to resource-circulation strategies that enable the valorization of degradation products through material recovery and energy production.
This session will highlight recent advances in the accelerated degradation of biodegradable plastic materials and products, including PLA, PHA, PBAT, and PBS, through the use of microorganisms and microbial enzymes. Various physical and chemical approaches for enhancing degradation efficiency will also be introduced. In addition, recent findings on the anaerobic degradation behavior of biodegradable plastics under oxygen- and temperature-limited conditions, as well as strategies for accelerating biogas production, will be discussed. Furthermore, the session will examine the chemical composition of extractable chemical mixtures released from commercial biodegradable plastic products and their associated environmental and ecotoxicological impacts. Through these discussions, we aim to provide a comprehensive perspective on the degradation, safety, and sustainability of biodegradable plastics and to suggest future research directions for their responsible development and utilization.
