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BOTTOM ROW: A bio-based phone case showed degradation after a year under home composting conditions, compared with the control on the right. Image: Algenesis Corporation
Researchers from material science company Algenesis Corporation and University of California–San Diego recently published results from a study investigating how microplastics from the company’s bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) break down under home composting conditions.
As controls, they compared the degradation of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), regular compost and cellulose. After 200 days, the bio-based TPU had a 97% reduction in microplastic particles, but the EVA had no change. Although the particles were able to be visually reviewed only above 350 micrometers, the study surmises that particles below this size broke down into biomass and CO2 even more quickly than those larger than this threshold.
The TPU is the latest product among the Soleic™ brand polyurethane materials made by Algenesis and will be available this year in applications like coatings and injectable plastics.
To test the material in real-world applications, the researchers coated cotton with the TPU and created a TPU injection-molded phone case. The coated fabric biodegraded rapidly in composting conditions, even after just two weeks. Fabric not being composted remained intact and tear-resistant. After a year incubating in the compost, the phone case showed degradation compared to its state prior to being composted.
The research was published in Scientific Reports in May. Previous developments by the company include foams that biodegrade, which have been incorporated into BLUEVIEW footwear, Trelleborg coated fabrics and phone cases made by RhinoShield that will be available later this year.
“Our collaboration with Trelleborg enables us to bring this cutting-edge material to market, offering consumers sustainable alternatives that don’t compromise on quality or performance,” says Stephen Mayfield, CEO of Algenesis.