Examples of degradable materials

Lactic acid
Polylactic acid (PLA), also known as polylactide, is chemically synthesized from the microbial fermentation product lactic acid as a monomer. After use, it can automatically degrade without polluting the environment.
Polylactic acid can be processed into fibers and films with excellent mechanical properties, and its strength is generally comparable to nylon fibers and polyester fibers. Polylactic acid can be hydrolyzed into lactic acid and acetic acid in living organisms, and metabolized into CO2 and H2O through enzymes, making it suitable as a medical material. Japan and the United States have used polylactic acid plastic to process surgical sutures, artificial bones, and artificial skin. Polylactic acid is also used in the production of packaging containers, agricultural films, fiber sportswear, and bedding.
Starch plastic
With a starch content of over 90%, other components added can also be completely degraded. Sumitomo Corporation in Japan, Wamer Lamber Corporation in the United States, Ferriz Corporation in Italy, and others have claimed to have successfully researched all starch plastics with a starch content of 90% to 100%. These plastics can be completely biodegradable without leaving any traces and are pollution-free, and can be used to manufacture various containers, bottles, films, and garbage bags within a period of 1 month to 1 year.
The production principle of all starch plastics is to deform and disorder starch molecules, forming starch resins with thermoplastic properties, thus also known as thermoplastic starch plastics. Its molding and processing can continue to use traditional plastic processing equipment.
The potential advantage of developing biodegradable plastics using starch as raw material is that starch has complete biodegradability in various environments; After the degradation or ashing of starch molecules in plastics, carbon dioxide gas is formed, which does not cause toxicity to soil or air; By adopting appropriate processes, starch can be thermoplastic to achieve the mechanical properties required for manufacturing plastic materials; Starch is a renewable resource that cannot be stopped. Developing the utilization of starch is beneficial for the development of rural economy.
It should be noted that the vast majority of starch plastics produced in China are filled starch plastics, which add a certain proportion of starch to non biodegradable polymer materials. Through the biodegradation of starch, the physical properties of the entire material collapse, causing a large number of end groups to be exposed for oxidative degradation. However, the remaining PE, PVC, etc. in this "collapse" cannot be degraded and remain in the soil, Over time, of course, it will cause pollution, so foreign countries classify such products as obsolete.