Abstract
Environmental concerns are now driving additive suppliers and polymer resin manufacturers to step up efforts to create innovative materials for the future. In the present work, a “biodegradable” additive/promoter was incorporated into a butene-based linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) at different levels. The properties of the blown films derived therefrom were investigated.
In the first step the “degradation additive/promoter” was converted into a 50% masterbatch in LLDPE. In the second step, this concentrate was let down at 5, 10, 15 and 20% level in a butene-based film grade LLDPE. The properties of the films were characterized. In the third step, the films were subjected to “real-time” degradation tests; using natural soil and under vermicompost conditions. Films subjected to degradation under vermicompost conditions have shown encouraging results. After 3 months, the films containing 15 and 20% additive were found to have disintegrated to a practically unusable form.