Biodegradable polymers wood-derived plastics

Edible films are arrother form of biodegradable polymer. These films act as moisture and aroma barriers arrd protect the food s mechanical integrity or handling characteristics. Emphasis is also being given for development and use of protein based plastics, polysaccharides, and wood derived plastics. The higher cost of the biodegradable plastics than petrolerrm-based polymers has been the major factor for their lirrtited rrse in food industry. 

Cellulose, which is more fibrous than wood flour, is used as a filler for urea and melamine plastics. Melamine dishware is a laminated structure consisting of molded resin-impregnated paper. Starch and soybean derivatives are biodegradable, and the rate of disintegration of resin composites containing these fillers may be controlled by the amount of these fillers present in polymers. 

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