Obtaining a biopolymer based on potato starch for single-use products

Abstract

The use of thermoplastic materials, especially those used in the manufacture of single-use products, have increased environmental problems caused by the non-degradation of polymeric materials such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In order to contribute to the proposal of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to achieve by the year 2030, that 100 % of single-use plastics put on the market are reusable, recyclable or compostable (biologically degraded by organisms) is carried out obtaining a polymeric material composed of 75 % synthetic polymer of traditional use and 15 % of a natural polymer, in this case starch extracted from potato. The process is carried out by extrusion with twin screw machinery and a pelletizer, obtaining the integrated material in the form of pellets, at which a characterization of its physical and chemical properties is carried out after being subjected to a degradation process in a soil composted. In order for the material obtained to comply with suitable properties to be applied in the single-use plastics industry, initially in the city of Bogotá and its surroundings, so that after its disposal it has a more feasible biological degradation process, reducing problems. environment around these materials.