Packaging applications environmental considerations

One of the main obstacles to widespread use of biodegradable polymers has been the high cost of these polymers. For this reason, industrial applications tend to be specialist applications with unique environmental considerations. Loose-fill packaging and compost bags are the two major end uses constituting nearly 90% of demand. Several other applications offer strong market potential for the future, primarily in Europe. 

LCA is a process used to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, package, process, or activity. The considerations for LCAs can be useful when applied as a tool for decision-making. This has specific applicability when used to evaluate the solvent choices within a manufacturing process or any chemistry endeavor. Concretely, the decision to use a solvent (or not to use one) will involve many considerations How best to achieve the desired results (specifications, yield, etc.), overall cost of the chemistry, and relevant environmental regulations. 

When the volume of the environmental fluid is finite, diffusion of a minor chemical species will proceed until equilibrium is attained. At equilibrium the diffusing species will partition itself between the polymer and environmental fluid phases defined by a partition coefficient K. The estimation of K is an importnat consideration in drug release from polymeric delivery devices (1 ) and in applications of polymers as food packaging materials (2 ). 

An important consideration in the formulation and application of pesticides is their handling, packaging and safe use. This includes not only safety to operators but also minimising environmental contamination. 

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