End-of-life options of biobased plastic materials and its biocomposites in landfill, compost and marine water conditions
Grant holder: Dr Sudhakar Muniyasamy
Institution: CSIR
Grant: CSIR/BEI/WRIU/2019/029
Duration: 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022
Status: Current
Project outline: The aim of this research is to investigate the end-of-life options of bioplastics, their blends and thermoplastic biocomposites, with special focus on mechanical and biological recycling (biodegradation) of bio-based polymers, their blends and biocomposites in landfill, compost and marine water conditions.
| » | Book chapter: Swanepoel, A., Muniyasamy, S., Omotola, D. (2025). Biopolymers and Biodegradable polymers – past, present and future. In: Biodegradable Polymers, Blends and Biocomposites. Trends and Applications., Taylor & Francis, DOI: 10.1201/9781003304142-5 |
| » | Book chapter: Nomadolo, N. and Muniyasamy, S. (2025). End-of-life Options of Biobased Plastic Materials. In: Biodegradable Polymers, Blends and Biocomposites. Trends and Applications. Taylor & Francis, DOI: 10.1201/9781003304142-5 |
| » | Publication: Godfrey, L., Sithole, B., Jacob John, M., Mturi, G. and Muniyasamy, S. (2022). Transitioning to a Circular Economy in South Africa: The Role of Innovation in Driving Greater Waste Valorization. In: Ren, J., Zhang, L. (eds) Circular Economy and Waste Valorisation. Industrial Ecology and Environmental Management, vol 2. Springer, Cham. |
| » | Publication: Muniyasamy, S. and Noore, S. (2021). Cellulose-based Bionanocomposites: Structure and Chemistry. In: Cellulose Nanoparticles: Chemistry and Fundamentals, Ed: Vijay Kumar Thakur; Elisabete Frollini; et al. Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN: 978-1-78801-952-1. |
| » | Dissertation: Maleka, T. (2025). Quantification, particle analysis and identification of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants in Gauteng’s Municipalities: A critical analysis. Doctoral Thesis. University of Johannesburg. |
| » | Publication: Nomadolo, N., Mtibe, A., Ofosu, O., Mekoa, C., Letwaba, J., and Muniyasamy, S. (2024). The effect of mechanical recycling on the thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of Poly (Butylene Adipate‑Co‑Terephthalate) (PBAT), Poly (Butylene Succinate) (PBS), Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA), PBAT‑PBS Blend and PBAT‑TPS Biocomposite. |
| » | Briefing note: Muniyasamy, S. (2023). End-of-life options of biobased plastic material and its composites. CSIR: Pretoria. |
| » | Dissertation: Nomadolo, NE. (2023). Mechanical recyclability and biodegradation of biobased biodegradable polymers, blends, and biocomposite. Master’s Thesis. Nelson Mandela University. |
| » | Publication: Mtibe, A., Muniyasamy, S., Mokhena, TC., Ofosu, O., Ojijo, V. and John, M. (2023). Recent insight into the biomedical applications of polybutylene succinate and polybutylene succinate-based materials. Express Polym. Lett., 17(1): 2-28. |
| » | Publication: Nomadolo, N., Dada, OE., Swanepoel, A., Mokhena, T. and Muniyasamy, S. (2022). A Comparative Study on the Aerobic Biodegradation of the Biopolymer Blends of Poly(butylene succinate), Poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) and Poly(lactic acid). Polymers, 14(9): 1-14 |
| » | Publication: Muniyasamy, S. and Dada, O.E. (2021). Recycling of plastics and composites materials and degradation technologies for bioplastics and biocomposites. In: Nayak, R. and Patnaik, A. (eds). The Textile Institute Book Series, Waste Management in the Fashion and Textile Industries, Woodhead Publishing, 311-333. |
| » | Publication: Muniyasamy, S. and Patnaik, A. (2021). Biodegradable Behavior of Waste Wool and Their Recycled Polyester Preforms in Aqueous and Soil Conditions. JRM, 9(10): 1-11. |
| » | Publication: Bhagwat, G., Gray, K., Wilson, SP., Muniyasamy, S. et al. (2020). Benchmarking Bioplastics: A Natural Step Towards a Sustainable Future. J. Polym Environ. |
| » | Presentation: Muniyasamy, S. (2020). Bioplastics from renewable resources: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic. International webinar on Applied Biosciences, 8 August 2020. |