Recently, the Union Minister inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune.
About Biopolymers:
These are materials that have been manufactured from biological sources such as fats, vegetable oils, sugars, resins, and proteins.
The biopolymers have more complex structures than synthetic polymers therefore they are more active in vivo.
Furthermore, as biopolymers are biodegradable their decomposition is easily done by bacteria in the soil environment, as compared to synthetic polymers which cause environmental pollution due to incineration.
Characteristics
They can control the life processes of living organisms and are environmentally friendly.
They are decomposed by the processes named –oxidation (mainly reaction with oxygen), hydrolysis (decomposition by water) or by some enzymes.
Some of them are compostable and can show some chemical properties on their surface.
Biopolymers like polylactic acid, polyglycolate, poly 3-hydroxy butyrate etc. may show plastic properties and instead.
Benefits:
These polymers can reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and also decrease carbon emissions.
This happens because bio-degradation of these chemical compounds can release carbon dioxide that can be reabsorbed by crops grown as a substitute in their place.
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