COMMISSION ON FUNCTIONAL
POLYMERS (IV.3)
Number: 430/5/93
Title: Biodegradable Polymers
Coordinator(s):
A.C.
Albertsson
Completion Date: 2000 - project
completed
Objective:
As a first step a workshop on biodegradable polymers and recycling
"Controlled Life-Cycle of Polymeric Materials, Biodegradable
Polymers and Recycling" was organized in 1994. Recent advances
in biodegradable polymer synthesis, production, biodegradation,
environmental degradation and recycling were presented by leading
scientists in these fields. The consensus was that a sound polymer
waste management would require complementary practices of conversion,
recycling, incineration and biodegradation/bioconversion (biological
recycling).
Progress:
The most recent activity and meeting took place in the context of
the 5th International Scientific Workshop on "Biodegradable
Plastics and Polymers", June 9-13, 1998 in Stockholm.
From an earlier meeting in 1997, this group contributed to a volume
published as Macromol.
Symp. 130
(1998). Another report in the Macromol. Symp. will be
published in Vol.
135. The WP also held a special meeting to organize a group
of the European scientists for Biodegradable Polymers. The group
is planning work on bioenvironmental polymers: the total environment
which can be renewable polymers as well as biodegradable.
Project completed
Last update: 29 March 2000
