A study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering reveals that cellulose diacetate (CDA)-based foams, created from Eastman Aventa™ compostable materials, biodegrade quickly in ocean environments. Conducted by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the findings suggest these biodegradable foams could help address plastic pollution in the food packaging sector.
The research indicated that CDA-based foams lost up to 70% of their mass after 36 weeks in seawater, while conventional polystyrene foams, commonly used for food packaging, showed no signs of degradation during the same period. The study identified CDA foams as significantly more effective, degrading over four times faster than paper and up to 1,000 times quicker than polystyrene, solid polypropylene, and polylactic acid (PLA).
Collin Ward, lead researcher and WHOI associate scientist, stated, “Foaming biodegradable bioplastics like Aventa present a compelling opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of poorly managed consumer plastics, especially in food packaging, as they degrade rapidly in marine environments while promoting circularity.”
The study included a comprehensive assessment of redesigning plastic food packaging, accounting for material performance, economic viability, sustainability, and circularity. Derived from sustainable wood pulp, Aventa offers a renewable option that also composts effectively.
Critiquing the widespread use of polystyrene, which has poor biodegradability and recycling challenges, the study found that switching to CDA-based foams for food trays could potentially save society over $1 billion annually by lowering costs related to plastic pollution. Researchers emphasized the need for holistic environmental assessments to avoid worsening existing issues.
Jeff Carbeck, vice president of Eastman’s corporate innovation and care solutions technology, remarked on traditional plastics’ end-of-life challenges, stating that CDA-based foams provide a sustainable alternative that will not contribute to persistent marine plastic pollution.
Overall, the study highlights the significant potential of CDA-based foams to mitigate plastic waste in marine ecosystems while offering viable alternatives to traditional food packaging materials.
