Polycaprolactone planting containers

Polycaprolactones (see also Section 25.11), although available since 1969, have only recently been marketed for biodegradable purposes. Applications include degradable film, tree planting containers and slow-release matrices for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbieides and fertilisers. Its rate of biodegradability is said to be less than that of the polylactides. 

The agriculture industry is the largest user of degradable plastics. Here degradable urea-formaldehyde polymers are used in slow-release fertilizer applications whilst polycaprolactone is becoming increasingly used for degradable plant containers. 

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